r 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.C. 


The  Gift  nf  .   V£>  ■  ^W^JU 


/ 


FANCY'S  SKETCH  BOOK. 


"  'Tia  but  to  fill 
A  certain  portion  of  uncertain  paper: 
Some  liken  it  to  climbing  up  a  hill, 
Whose  summit,  like  all  hills,  is  lost  in  vapour." 

Byron 


AND  PRINTED  BY  J.  S.  BURGES 


MISS  PENINA  MOISE 


1833. 


311.3? 
/ATI4-F 


DEDICATION. 


TO  MISSES  PIJYCKJYEY. 

Ladies, 

I  cannot  too  frequently  express  my  deep 
sense  of  your  kindness  in  permitting  this  little 
volume  to  be  addressed  to  you;  an  obligation  the 
more  enhanced  by  the  very  flattering  manner  in 
which  that  sanction  was  conveyed.  In  selecting 
you  for  this  purpose,  I  only  obeyed  that  instinct 
of  my  nature  which  impels  me  to  offer  tribute  to 
Virtue  and  Talent,  whatever  be  the  sphere 
of  their  location.  The  name  of  Pinckney  is  the 
only  ornament  to  which  this  simple  fabric  of  fan- 
cy pretends.  Fearing  to  offend  that  modesty  of 
which  I  have  already  had  so  conspicuous  a  proof* 
I  will  add  no  more  than  that 


I  am, 


Ladies, 

Most  respectfully, 

Yours, 
PENINA  MOISE. 


158821 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/fancyssketchbookOOmose 


BOUDOIR  TETE  A  TETE  BETWEEN  THE 
AUTHOR  AND  A  FRIEND, 


FRIEND. 

Well,  the  curtain  has  now  touched  the  ceiling,  and 
there  is  no  retreat  for  the  trembling  debutante.  Come 
forward,  then,  and  make  your  speech  with  the  best 
grace  possible. 

AUTHOR. 

Forbear  your  unseasonable  badinage. — Never  till 
now  did  I  feel  the  invidious  poignancy  of  that  senten- 
tious wish,  "Would  that  mine  enemy  would  write  a 
Book!"  It  includes  an  intensity  of  suspensive  tor* 
ture  to  which  my  past  experience  affords  no  parallel. 

FRIEND. 

Why  what  is  it  you  apprehend?  that  a  critical  thorn 
or  two  may  lurk  amid  the  verdure  of  your  coronet? 

AUTHOR. 

Not  if  the  briar  belonged  to  the  rose — not  if  the 
aroma  were  mingled  with  the  asperities.  But  this  is 
mere  raillery.  You  know  it  is  not  laceration  that  in- 
timidates me,  for  to  borrow  a  homely  comparison,  I 
could  emulate  the  Russian  spouse  and  covet  the  scourge 
if  it  betokened  an  interest  in  me.  No:  it  is  the  apa- 
1* 


6 


thy  rather  than  the  austerity  of  Reviewers  that  I  dep- 
recate. 

FRIEND. 

You  think  you  are  likely  to  be  treated  like  the  lit- 
tle gnat  that  presumptuously  perched  upon  the  horn 
of  a  bull,  and  then  apologised  for  incommoding  the 
unconscious  animal.  But  this  is  only  one  of  the  arti- 
fices of  ambition,  that  loves  to  bait  its  hook  with  hu- 
mility, for  the  more  dexterous  angling  of  honors. 

AUTHOR. 

Why  do  you  continue  this  senseless  raillery?  In 
truth  1  know  not  how  to  propitiate  those  formidable 
oracles,  and  therefore  presumed  not  to  lift  my  eyes  to- 
wards them. 

FRIEND. 

The  initiated  have  declared  there  are  but  two  modes 
of  approaching  themr— either  as  beggars  or  banditti. 
Now  as  you  are  not  of  that  class  of  intellectual  athle- 
tae  who  can  grapple  for  laurels,  your  only  alternative 
is  importunity.  Your  poetic  Lazaroni  are  vastly  clev- 
er at  the  whining  trade. 

AUTHOR. 

I  suppose  you  would  have  me  expose  to  those  litera- 
ry tribunes  the  wounds  I  have  received  in  my  contest 
with  Fortune,  and  then  proclaim  myself  a  suppliant 
tor  their  "sweet  voices?"  Rather  let  me  save  my 
pride  and  lose  my  preferment!    Rather  let  me  suffer 


7 


eternal  exile  from  the  Temple  of  Fame,  than  crouch  at 
its  portals  to  obtain  a  slender  scion  of  the  consecrated 
palm. 

FRIEND. 

Pry  thee  now  descend  from  your  stilts,  most  haugh- 
ty aspirant.  Said  I  not,  your  self  abasement  was  but 
a  mask?  Such  high  toned  language  would  scarce  be- 
come a  Byron. 

AUTHOR. 

Hush!  I  cannot  bear  you  to  evoke  the  shade  of  that 
mighty  magician  at  this  awful  crisis,  and  in  my  pre- 
sent nervous  state.  To  touch  his  ashes  is  to  reverse 
the  spell  of  the  prophets  bones — they  extinguish  all 
the  animation  of  my  spirit. 

FRIEND. 

I  forgot  I  was  discoursing  with  one  of  the  irrilabile 
genus — one  of  those  sensitive  Sybarites  for  whose 
feelings  even  a  rose-leaf  is  too  rough,  if  not  disposed 
with  the  most  delicate  art.  But  I  thought  I  was  sum- 
moned here  as  a  sort  of  Fadladeen,  who  by  preparato- 
ry and  interlocutory  comment  was  to  exercise  a  spe- 
cies of  anticipative  criticism. 

AUTHOR. 

That  was  indeed  my  original  plan — but  upon  re- 
flection, I  thought  it  would  be  attaching  too  much  im- 
portance to  my  parvenue  Muse,  to  make  you  the  mir- 
ror of  her  graceless  images. 


8 


FRIEND. 

What  a  subtle  compliment !  You  will  however  con- 
descend to  answer  a  few  questions.  Why  have  you 
no  Odes  and  so  little  blank  verse  among  your  eftV 

sions? 

AUTHOR. 

Madame  de  Stael  frightened  me  from  the  first  by 
calling  an  Ode  "The  Apotheosis  of  Sentiment."  Now 
as  I  have  never  arrived  even  at  the  canonization  of 
fanciful  conceptions,  I  should  despair  of  ever  being 
qualified  for  its  deification. 

FRIEND. 

You  must  be  fresh  from  the  reading  of  the  Saints' 
Calendar,  methinks,  by  the  similies  you  employ.  But 
what  objection  to  the  Anti-Rhythmical  form  of  Poetry? 

AUTHOR. 

Why,  that  it  requires  an  eagle's  feather  where- 
with to  cleave  that  part  of  the  Parnassian  atmosphere. 
My  swallow's  wing  skims  the  fields,  but  soars  not  to 
"The  Heaven  of  Invention."  Besides,  it  is  only  verse 
to  the  visual  sense,  and  the  generality  of  readers  pre- 
fer to  have  the  ear  indulged  by  a  recurrence  of  simi- 
lar sounds. 

FRIEND. 

One  thing  more  and  I  have  done.  What  induced 
you  to  alter  your  determination  about  the  title  of  your 
Book?    I  think  you  told  me  you  had  selected  a  name 


5 


expressive  of  your  being  an  amateur  rather  than  a, 
professor  of  the  poetic  art? 

AUTHOR. 

I  did  intend  it  upon  the  principle  that  actuated  the 
iiicient  to  call  himself  the  lover  of  wisdom  rather 
than  the  wise — but  there  was  something  so  pedantic 
in  the  Latin  word  I  had  chosen  for  this  purpose,  that  I 
renounced  it.  But  it  is  time  to  close  this  colloquy. — 
I  have  dared  to  enter  the  sanctuary,  though  all  unwor- 
thy either  "to  tend  the  altar  or  trim  the  lamp"  of 
the  .Vestal  Muses.  I  must  abide  the  consequences  of 
my  temerity.  If  I  have  neglected  to  rectify  the  want 
of  perspicuity  that  may  sometimes  be  detected  in  my 
allusions,  it  is  because  I  think  that  a  cloudy  sugges- 
tion will  never  fail  to  be  dispelled  by  a  luminous  mind. 
For  avoiding  the  higher  walks  of  Fancy,  1  here  re- 
peat the  apology  once  offered  to  a  friend: 

No  Lyric  sandals  deck  my  feet, 
Or  Epic  stilts  sustain; 
And  Sonnetteering  slippers  yet. 
•V  Petrarch's  prints  retain. 


FANCY'S  SKETCH  BOOK 


I   .  _ 

THE  HERO  OF  GILEAD. 

Woe  to  thee,  Gilead!  thy  balm  trees  are  weeping, 
And  strangers  are  thirsting  to  gather  their  drops; 
While  Jephtha,  thy  champion,  in  exile  is  sleeping, 
The  war-trump  of  Ammon  proclaims  his  proud  hopes 

Oh,  false!  for  a  treaty  with  Heaven  is  sealed, 
And  bound  with  the  life-strings  of  Jephtha's  torn  heart . 
For  the  calm  of  his  country,  that  hero  must  yield 
The  dove  in  whose  flight  his  own  peace  must  depart, 
if  y  •  •« 

Hark!  timbrels  are  sounding  from  Mizpeh's  gay  halls, 
And  vestals  advance  to  the  warrior's  greeting; 
God  of  mercy!  behold  where  his  fearful  eye  falls — 
'Tis  the  child  of  his  bosom  his  glance  is  now  meeting 

The  dust  is  defiling  thy  laurels,  my  sire; 

Earth  cannot  return  the  fond  kiss  thou'rt  impressing; 

Is  it  kind  from  thy  darling's  embrace  to  retire? 

Is  it  well  that  the  senseless  should  win  thy  first  blessing? 


12 


Oh!  rouse  thee,  rriy  father,  the  altar  is  near, 
And  a  flower-wreathed  victim  to  victory's  due; 
The  herd  for  thy  glory  its  purest  shall  spare, 
And  the  red  blade  of  sacrifice  waits  but  for  you! 

Break!  break!  iron  heart,  'neath  this  weight  of  despair: 
The  purest  indeed  is  the  pledge  of  my  vow; 
But  the  herd  is  yet  free — then  say,  love,  what  rare, 
What  costly  oblation  must  faith  now  bestow? 

It  is  such  as  was  led  by  the  Patriarch-priest, 
It  is  perfect  in  love  as  that  child  on  Moriah; 
When  the  stream  from  its  veins  by  the  steel  is  releas'd. 

It  will  spring  to  its  G«>d!  it  will  bless  li  e,  my  sire! 

###*##### 

Clouds  rose  o'er  the  altar — for  Mercy  had  veiled 
From  the  golden-winged  seraphs  that  error  of  zeal: 
Since  the  sweet  rose  of  Israel  its  odours  exhaled, 
She  has  flown  to  the  earth,  Heaven's  will  to  reveal, 

The  incense  of  gratitude,  bloodless  and  sweet, 
Truth  wafts  in  a  prayer  from  the  warm  "vital  urn;" 
That  tribute  the  angels  may  lay  at  his  leet, 
In  hearts  fond  and  faithful  that  essence  may  burn. 


13 


THE  FAIRY'S  ALBUM. 

Here's  a  legend  of  love,  said  a  laughing  Grace, 

A  fragment  from  Poetry's  sire: 
In  Fancy's  port-folio  we'll  give  it  a  place, 

And  sing  it  to  Euterpe's  lyre. 
The  King  of  the  Fairies  once  siezed  with  a  mania, 

A  sonnet  or  two  to  compose: 
Sent  to  borrow  the  album  of  royal  Titania — 

The  book  was  a  simple  white  rose. 
After  vainly  essaying  his  thoughts  to  transcribe, 

The  leaves  he  was  ready  to  tear; 
"When  Cupid  approaching,  he  offered  a  bribe, 

For  some  lines  to  the  elfin  fair. 
The  mischievous  godling,  with  aspect  demure, 

From  his  quiver  a  dove  quill  drew; 
Maliciously  seeking  to  sully  the  pure, 

And  with  sophistries  darken  its  hue. 
But  a  Bee  that  had  lurked  in  its  snowy  recess, 

Took  his  lips  for  "twin  cherries  just  parted," 


14 


Which  the  pirate  of  nectar  preferring  to  press, 

Towards  the  beautiful  traitor  soon  darted. 
Love  wept  on  beholding  the  crimson  dew  gush 

From  the  wound  into  purity's  cell; 
And  his  tears  thus  tempering  the  vestal's  blush, 

Formed  the  Spring-Rose,  the  Nightingale's  belte 
But  the  urchin,  alas!  soon  extracting  the  sting, 

Then  concealed  it  beneath  the  sweet  flower; 
Thus  peril  in  ambush  to  pleasure  will  cling, 

As  the  thorn  to  the  Rose  from  that  hour, 


15 


GREECE. 


Who  that  has  struck  young  Fancy's  silver  wires, 
Looks  not  with  classic  rapture  back  to  Greece? 
Where  from  a  God  was  caught  her  fervid  fires, 
Tho'  sorrow  now  has  made  her  song  to  cease? 
Who  doth  not  know  that  Freedom  loves  to  twine 
Her  attic  laurels  still  aiound  her  brow? 
To  fly  with  weeping  memory  to  that  shrine, 
Where  epic  genius  breathed  his  earliest  vow! 
Ages  of  wrong  have  left  thee  wrecked  of  fame; 
Dismantled  of  the  glories  of  thy  youth; 
Yet  could  not  power  quench  the  lambent  flame, 
Electric  quiverings  from  the  torch  of  truih. 
There  is  a  music  in  thy  mountain  caves, 
Echoes  of  glory  still  vibrating  there; 
A  murmuring  thunder  in  the  iEgeun  waves, 
That  startles  memory — but  soothes  despair. 
Oh!  brave  in  arms,  and  beautiful  in  art, 
1  he  Persian  trophy  and  the  Parian  bust, 


16 


Still  link  thy  lovely  Isles  to  Freedom's  heart, 
And  charm  her  spiiit  to  thy  holy  dust. 
A  living  Laocoon  thou  writhest  still, 
Within  the  Turkish  serpenVs  mighty  grasp, 
But  noble  hearts  shall  yet  their  veins  distil, 
The  reptile's  rigid  coilings  to  unclasp, 


i 


17 


ON  A  BUTTERFLY, 

Thai  was  crushed  between  the  Keys  of  a  Piano  Forte, 

A  little  flutterer  of  lineage  proud, 
Kindred  to  Psyche,  as  the  poets  vowed, 
Allured  by  melody,  and  light  and  grace, 
Suspended  for  a  while  its  airy  chase, 
Forsook  the  pageant  of  a  tulip's  court, 
And  lay  entranced  on  a  Piano  Forte. 
The  minstrel's  cheek  mistaking  for  a  rose, 
The  strains  for  Philomela's  plaintive  woes. 
Unheeded  long  the  amber-winged  remained, 
Fancying  its  perch  in  Paradise  regained. 
When  as  the  flexile  fingers  fleetly  strayed 
To  Harmony's  abyss  it  wa3  betrayed; 
The  warbler  ceased — and  o'er  the  victim  wept, 
As  in  its  ivory  sepulchre  it  slept. 
Martyr  of  melody!  thou  dost  translate, 
The  mystic  type  and  tenor  of  my  fate. 
Like  thee  for  sweet  enchantments  I  resigned 


IB 


The  amaranthine  culture  of  the  mind, 
Nor  dreamed  such  soft  delights  might  be  alloyed, 
And  truant  rapture  leave  a  treacherous  void. 
But  life  exhales,  yet  memory  ne'er  departs 
From  Love's  first  tones  the  music  of  fond  heart*. 


19 


ADDRESS 

On  the  Opening  of  a  Theatre, 

When  bold-eyed  Fancy  led  her  Thespian  car. 

Against  the  Passions  in  mimetic  war, 

With  song  and  satire  for  her  spear  and  shield, 

She  sought  in  Attica  her  earliest  field. 

Tonching  the  soul  with  artificial  woe, 

She  caused  unselfish  tears  from  man  to  flow. 

By  simple  strokes  the  giant  passions  fell. 

And  manly  bosoms  felt  a  moral  swell. 

A  polished  world  from  Greece  the  impulse  caught  , 

Majestic  truth  her  magic  mirror  brought 

Reflecting  vice,  before  imperial  Rome. 

Europe  beheld  it  next — then  Freedom's  home! 

A  thousand  temples  honored  either  muse, 

Genius  her  incense  amply  did  effuse. 

Then  Shakspeare,  Ariel's  creator  came, 

To  snatch  the  never-dying  wreath  of  Fame,  . 

His  bold  ambition  sought  Prospero's  cave, 


20 


Brought  Denmark's  monarch  from  his  troubled  grave 

Pervious  to  him  alone  that  mystic  sphere, 

Where  proud  Macbeth  was  sentenced  to  despair. 

Who  best 'communed  with  his  superior  mind  ? 

Transfused  his  spirit  and  his  sense  refined? 

Garrick!  on  thee  from  his  Elysian  height, 

He  first  shed  rays  of  histrionic  light. 

Again  his  heroes  in  the  Protean  form, 

Revealed  their  love,  or  raised  the  martial  storm. 

Thou  mighty  master  of  a  generous  art, 

A  purifying  power  didst  impart, 

E'en  to  that  spring  of  knowledge  most  sublime, 

For  ever  sparkling  by  the  rock  of  Time. 

But  triumph  thou,  Columbia!  thy  free  shore, 

Enshrines  the  idol  of  dramatic  lore. 

Breaking  in  grandeure  on  the  astonished  age, 

Lo!  Cooper,  sun  of  Science,  lights  our  stage! 

His  voice  brings  Pity  from  her  crystal  cave, 

To  gem  the  eye  of  beauty  and  the  brave. 

Terror  at  his  command  start3from  his  den, 

To  strike  the  hearts  or  blanch  the  cheeks  of  men 

Has  proud  Philosophy  a  higher  aim, 

Than  tribute  from  our  sympathies  to  claim? 

No!  while  the  cynic's  thunder  rolls  away, 


21 


Unhurt  young  Folly  still  pursues  her  play; 
But  when  the  loveliest  of  the  Olympian  Nine, 
These  grand  effects  with  pleasure  can  combine. 
Corruption  shudders  at  another's  sin, 
Blushing  to  find  such  "perilous  stuff"  within. 
Offspring  of  Liberty!  another  shrine, 
Invites  ye  to  adore  that  power  divine 
Whose  gentle  discipline  to  virtue  leads, 
Before  whose  beamy  aspect  vice  recedes; 
Whose  chastened  wit,  and  harmony  sublime, 
Convert  to  gold  the  metric  sands  of  Time 


22 


LINES" 

ON  THE   LOSS  OF  THE   SHIP  BOSTON. 

Saw  ye  the  Barque,  that  lately  passed  in  beautiful  array  ? 
Bounding  along  the  liquid  fields  so  buoyant, free  and  gay  ? 
The  flashing  waters  proudly  swell  to  bear  it  to  its  mart, 
And  every  brightening  influence  fell  upon  that  gem  of 
Art; 

But  frowning  Heaven  banished  soon  the  elemental  smile, 
And  desolating  spirits  rose,  its  lustre  to  defile. 
The  livid  ministers  of  wrath  rush  from  their  cloudy 
caves — 

Their  fiery  arrows  cleave  the  skies,  and  pierce  the  troub- 
led waves — 

The  lambent  lightning  circling  flies  around  the  shiver- 
ing mast, 

As  if  a  golden  wreath  upon  the  sacrifice  were  cast; 
Uncoiled,  the  crisping  cordage  lies  clust'ring  like  snaky 
hair 

About  the  wild  aud  withered  brow  of  envious  despair! 


23 


Sublime  that  meteor  of  the  main,  its  parting  glories 
bright 

As  when  the  regal  Day  declines  upon  his  throne  of  light. 
But  Pity's  interposing  arm,  amid  the  scene  appears, 
And  o'er  the  human  treasures  there,  her  shield  triumph- 
ant rears: 

Unscathed  each  gallant  soul  escapes  from  that  tempestu- 
ous fire — 

Why  mingles  then  the  plaint  of  woe,  when  grateful  pray- 
ers aspire? 

Alas!  yon  surgy  sepulchre  enshrines  one*  gentle  form, 
Too  sensitive  for  earthly  strife — too  fragile  for  the  storm. 
From  her  the  tints  of  health  had  fled,.  Decay  was  in 
their  track, 

The  wanderer  only  sought  to  woo  the  rosy  spirit  back; 
But  deeper  grew  the  vital  blight — the  sainted  victim 
fell — 

The  balm  of  Faith  upon  her  lips — a  blessing  her  fare- 
well! 

Oh!  who  shall  sing  the  mighty  grief  fraternal  love  op- 


*The  Lady  here  alluded  to  is  Miss  Boag 


24 


When  the  ark  of  his  redemption  lost  her  trackless  place 
of  rest! 

For  ever  be  the  harp  untouched,  rebellious  grief  in- 
spires, 

Celestial  hope  alone  may  breathe  upon  its  trembling 
wires! 


THE  DISCONCERTED  C0NCER1\ 


The  Genius  of  Music  her  Ariel  cited, 

And  by  a  brief  note  to  a  Concert  invited 

The  various  instruments  stringed  and  air-born, 

From  the  Harp  of  the  Graces  to  Dian's  shrill  horn 

Unlike  modish  gentry  they  all  went  in  time: 

And  perhaps  might  have  joined  in  a  prelusive  chime, 

But  the  chords  of  precedence  too  rigidly  straining, 

Soft  unison  fled  of  their  harshness  complaining. 

The  Trumpet  inflated  by  being  Fame's  agent, 

Professed  to  be  primo  in  Harmony's  pageant, 

But  the  proud  Organ's  pedal  a  damper  upraised 

To  high  sounding  titles  so  pompously  blazed. 

If  Antiquity's  scale  the  loud  braggart  could  settle, 

Old  Tubal  a  man  of  considerable  metal, 

Priority's  right  on  herself  had  bestowed, 

Which  made  him  a  minor  in  Minstrelsy's  code. 

The  classical  Lyre  appealed  to  Apollo, 

If  all  their  pretensions  might  not  be  deemed  hollow 


26 


Compared  with  her  powers  whose  affeltuoso, 
Eurydice  won  from  the  shades  doloroso. 
Violin  with  her  bow  in  collision  next  came 
And  declared  not  a  peg  would  she  lower  her  claim, 
She  even  would  challenge  seniority's  test, 
For  A .  G.  E.  D.*  on  her  form  was  imprest. 
Next  Piano  adv  anced  in  a  half  mourning  suit. 
Pre-eminent  rank  with  the  last  to  dispute. 
Ah!  non  troppo  presto — fall  back  in  your  place, 
For  every  one  knows  your  grandfather  was  Bass; 
And  your  dwarf  cousin-german  the  petty  Rebeck 
Corelli  himself  could  not  cure  of  a  squeak. 
A  fiddle-stick  too  for  your  uancien  regime" 
My  forte  is  to  float  upon  Fashion's  gay  stream; 
And  where  is  the  aspirant  pray  to  bon-ton, 
Who  covets  me  not  for  the  brilliant  Salon-? 
A  string  at  some  distance  was  now  heard  to  jar, 
And  with  Spanish  hauteur  interposed  the  Guitar. 
Strike  not  an  additional  Key  of  assurance, 
Tour  pitch  is  already  beyond  all  endurance. 
Upright  in  appearance  you  will  not  deny 


*Names  of  the  Violin  Strings 


27 


With  the  moderns  a  rival  in  me  you  descry; 

And  though  more  imperfect  in  structure  and  sound, 

Not  less  fascinating  am  frequently  found. 

Sweet  Ariel  indignant  at  discords  like  these, 

Would  have  cast  them  from  Cliffs,  or  o'erwhelmed 

with  high  C's. 
But  apause  then  ensuing  the  Genius  declared, 
They  all  so  much  out  of  their  tenor  appeared, 
Writh  their  own  variations  so  deeply  engaged, 
By  her  best  overturn  they  could  not  be  assuaged. 
She  therefore  dismissed  with  a  shake  of  the  hand, 
And  an  elegant  Coday  the  querulous  band. 


28 


THE  REJECTED  ROSE. 

A  gentleman  sent,  a  few  evenings  since,  some  splendid 
roses  to  his  female  acquaintance,  where  a  lady  and  par- 
ticular friend  happened  to  be  present,  to  whom  the  com- 
pliment was  unintentionally  not  extended.  The  Donor, 
on  sending  next  morning  an  elegant  rose  to  the  lady,  as 
evidence  of  his  regret,  received  his  present  back  with 
the  following  lines. 

Oh!  dinna  send  the  rose  to  me, 
I  would  na'  hurt  thee  wifully; 
But  with  the  tear  drops  in  my  e'e, 
The  flower  I  must  decline. 

Against  the  feeling  I  have  striven, 
Yet  can't  forget  that  yestereven, 
When  rosy  gifts  to  all  were  given, 
No  fragrant  boon  was  mine 


29 

I  may  be  deemed  too  sensitive, 
O'er  things  as  light  as  these  to  grieve, 
That  fault  thou  surely  wil't  forgive, 
For  it  is  thine! 


3§ 


ON  VIEWING  SCHEFFER's  ENGRAYING 

OF  THE  LOST  CHILDREN. 

The  wanderers  paused  beside  a  glassy  brook, 
Whose  water-lilies  whispering  breezes  shook. 
The  amber  light  lay  quivering  on  the  rill, 
Fain  by  lorn  innocence  to  linger  still. 
The  summer-melodists  in  that  sylvan  fane 
Instinctively  prolonged  their  vesper  strain. 
But  darkness  soon  impatient  to  delay, 
A  misty  mantle  cast  o'er  stream  and  spray. 
With  shadowy  strokes  those  silvery  lines  effacing 
That  kept  the  sister  leaflets  from  embracing. 
Making  the  dusky  foliage  indistinct 
As  things  by  legendary  fancy  linked. 
Amid  the  horrors  of  that  solitude, 
The  one  of  sternest  mould  was  first  subdued. 
Care  never  yet  had  challenged  him  to  strife, 
But  uow  the  canker  touched  the  bud  of  life. 
In  him  that  dawning  prowess  was  displayed* 


31 

That  meets  the  open  peril  undismayed. 
While  meek  endurance,  woman's  milder  grace, 
Left  on  her  polished  brow  its  pristine  trace. 
Beautiful  pilgrims!  in  that  weeping  boy 
Was  seen  the  stately  tree  that  storms  destroy. 
And  in  her  softer  image  might  be  given 
The  flexile  reed  that  ne'er  is  tempest-riven. 
Droop  not  sweet  brother — rather  let  us  on 
Where  the  wild  bees  and  warbling  birds  are  gone. 
Home  and  to  rest — our  bleeding  feet  betray 
The  thorny  terrors  of  our  treacherous  way. 
But  let  us  pray  for  guidance  to  our  God! 
Our  mother  taught  that  they  who  kiss  the  rod; 
Will  never  falter  though  beset  with  fears; 
Then  lift  thy  head  and  let  me  dry  those  tears. 
Oh!  cease  my  sister — would  that  I  had  died 
Ere  I  decoyed  thee  from  that  mother's  side. 
The  little  ones  now  clustering  round  her  knee 
Demand  why  we  partake  not  of  their  glee. 
How  must  her  anguish  their  young  hearts  appal, 
When  silence  mocks  her  oft  repeated  call. 
Why  do  you  urge  that  pathway  to  explore, 
Which  I  unshrinking  trod  till  Hope  was  o'er? 
Mere  will  our  pale  and  perished  forms  be  found 


32 


For  in  that  brooklet  you  behold  her  bound 
Thus  Scheffer's  pencil  left  the  fragile  pair 
Beyond — is  fearful  Fancy's  mystic  sphere 


53 


THE   MIRROR  AND    THE  ECHO. 

A  smart  Venetian  Mirror  of  mercurial  disposition 
Went  to  Erin  at  midsummer  on  a  curious  expedition. 
He  sought  a  Cara  Sposa,  and  he  thought  the  most  con- 
genial, 

Was  a  celebrated  echo  to  unite  in  bonds  hymeneal. 
Said  he  to  the  reverberator — Here  I  fix  my  choice, 
Thou  needest  but  a  visage  dear,  and  I  lack  but  a  voice. 
To  look  and  listen  all  the  day  shall  be  our  mutual  cares, 
While  I  reflect  sweet  images,  thou  shait  repeat  soft  airs 
If  thou'rt  at  all  ambitious  love,  thy  suitor  is  apier\ 
Of  pedigree  as  noble  as  yon  lustrous  chandelier. 
I  ask  no  dower,  for  I  bring  no  splendid  patrimony, 
Then  say  at  once  if  thou'lt  be  mine  in  holy  matrimony. 
Oh!  who  would  dream  of  sordid  aims  in  nature's  simple 
child? 

But  in  this  mercenary  age,  the  purest  are  defiled. 
The  smart  Venetian  Mirror  found  his  fondest  hopes  de- 
feated, 

For  mony  was  the  only  word  the  Echo  had  repeated. 


34 


CAIN. 


0!  bring  the  Rose  that  bent  its  blushing  head*, 
When  Eden's  bowers  felt  the  Serpent's  tread, 
The  Lily  seek  whose  vegetable  Snow, 
Caught  the  first  chrystal-drop  of  human  woe. 
Twine  the  frail  emblems  round  the  harp  of  Time, 
In  quivering  cadence  sing  the  birth  of  Crime. 
O'er  two  fair  shrines  imagination  bends — 
On  one  alone  the  light  of  Heaven  descends; 
From  one  alone,  the  soul's  pure  incense  springs- 
Its  glowing  wafture  sped  by  Angel  wings. 
Not  far  remote  from  Eve's  celestial  heir, 
Cain's  unblest  Urn  sends  up  its  lurid  glare. 
Pale,  and  portentous  in  his  jealous  pride, 
The  ruined  spirit  marks  the  ruddy  tide 
Yet  streaming  from  the  sacrificial  steel, 
While  fitful  murmurs  frenzied  thoughts  reveal, 
In  vain  would  timid  Love  with  tender  art, 
Lute  truant  joy  back  to  his  tortured  heart. 


35 


The  arms  of  Beauty  round  his  bosom  twined, 
Seem  Snow-wreaths  drifting  on  the  stormy  wind. 
His  sportive  innocents  in  mute  surprise, 
Look  up  to  learn  the  secret  from  his  eyes; 
But  startled  by  their  vengeful  lightnings,  fly 
Like  Larks  recoiling  from  a  lowering  sky. 
Alas!  each  infant  Passion  wildly  wakes, 
And  scowling  Envy,  Nature's  barrier  breaks: 
While  sanguine  Murder  dips  his  sable  wing, 
With  horrid  triumph  in  Pollution's  spring. 
Friend!  wilt  thou  not  forbear  a  Brother's  blood? 
Nor  yield  at  Mercy's  call  thy  wrathful  mood? 
Oh!  think  of  her  to  melting  anguish  stirred, 
When  first  the  Falcon  crushed  the  fearful  bird. 
If  such  the  bitter  gushings  of  Remorse, 
How  will  that  dread  libation  swell  its  course? 
In  vain!  the  primal  Martyrdom  is  past, 
A  lingering  death-cry  fills  the  sullen  blast; 
The  Spoiler  rushes  from  the  sullied  sod, 
To  hide  his  gory  garments  from  his  God! 
Delusive  thought!  the  Searcher's  voice  sublime; 
Thunders  the  retribution  of  thy  crime. 
From  every  mortal  bond  and  blessing  riven- 
Exiled  from  Hope,  thy  heritage  and  Heaven! 


36 


While  on  thy  shrivelled  brow  a  mighty  hand, 
Eternal  wanderer,  leaves  Corruption's  brantf. 


THE  PRIZE. 

A  wreath  and  a  robe  of  imperial  dye, 
For  the  one  that  kills  Time,  or  compels  him  to  fly 
On  gossamer  wing  with  the  lightning's  speed! 
Who  first  comes  forth  for  the  promised  meed? 
By  the  Nightingale  perched  on  her  rosy  finger, 
By  the  Ariel  echoes  that  round  her  linger, 
;Tis  Melody  sounding  her  sweetest  shell, 
And  her  softest  lute  for  the  wanderer's  knell. 
But  the  listener's  laugh  on  the  zephyr  is  borne, 
And  the  robe  and  the  wreath  yet  remain  unworn. 

A  grape-stone  is  levelled  against  his  glass, 
And  Saturn  awhile  seems  more  swiftly  to  pass. 
But  woe  to  the  Bacchanal  whose  rash  hand 
Thus  wildly  has  shaken  his  golden  sand; 
It  recoils  in  dust  on  the  reveller's  head, 
And  the  hoary  for  this,  will  more  heavily  trea<Js 


4 


38 


Who  next  for  a  guerdon  so  precious  applies? 

A  shaft  from  the  quiver  of  Cupid  now  flies. 

Yet  why  waste  his  archery  ?  does  he  not  know, 

That  Time  is  of  Love  the.  inveterate  foe? 

That  the  bloom  of  the  heart,  the  hopes  we  most  cherish., 

In  the  snows  of  the  withering  spirit  will  perish? 

For  the  Graces  the  child  made  a  dial  of  flowers, 

The  Sage  laid  an  index  of  ice  on  the  hours. 

Away  then — the  robe  and  the  wreath  are  unwon, 

Truth  will  not  awaid  them  to  Beauty's  blind  son 

The  Muse  in  despair  wished  the  prize  to  revoke, 
When  Toil  seizing  Time  by  his  silver  forelock, 
Compelled  him  to  fly  with  the  lightning's  speed, 
And  claimed  for  the  Minstrel  the  promised  meed. 
Love,  Music,  and  Wine,  are  too  fleeting  and  light, 
'Tis  Labor  that  best  can  assist  Time's  flight. 
On  his  sun-burnt  brow  let  the  Wreath  then  rest, 
And  his  sinewy  form  in  the  Robe  be  dres.t. 


39 


*       *  »iiA«ti    fll  RMIliiM  '•  flriVAl' 

LINES 

Suggested  by  the  perusal  of  an  account  of  Col.  Hayne's 
murder ,  during  the  American  Revolution — After  an 
interview  between  the  father  and  son,  in  prison,  the  latter 
attended  him  to  the  place  of  execution,  and  became  fran- 
tic from  the  impression  of  the  scene. 

Fettered,  yet  fearless,  'mid  the  dungeon's  gloom, 
Stood  the  majestic  martyr!  .On  his  brow 
The  mazy  mysteries  of  thought  were  seen; 
Like  twiiight  musings,  where  the  inward  beam 
Contended  'gainst  the  darkness  of  despair. 
Sudden,  a  sound  of  agony  subdued, 
Aroused  him  from  his  meditative  trance — 
Before  him  drooped  his  pale  and  trembling  boy, 
Bending  to  win  his  parting  benediction. 
It  swelled  the  soul,  and  struggled  thro'  the  lip; 
But  when  his  hand  essayed  the  outward  sign, 
Vainly  it  warred  against  the  cruel  circlet. 
Curse  on  the  coward's  bond — the  traitor's  chain. 


40 


That  strains  my  sinews  in  its  cold  embrace. 

Yet  shake  thy  sorrow  off,  my  gentle  child, 

And  let  a  fiercer  impulse  nerve  thy  breast; 

Disdain  the  stagnant  sadness  that  arrests 

The  vengeful  current's  bold  impetuous  course. 

Oh!  that  the  lava  of  my  bursting  veins, 

In  its  transmitted  flow,  would  fire  thy  soul. 

Is  it  for  me  to  know  the  felon's  fate  ? 

I,  to  whom  lofty  peril  was  delight  ? 

Yet,  undefiled  shall  be  the  captive's  corse, 

His  country's  triumph,  shall  dispel  the  taint, 

And  Freedom's  glories  gild  her  champion's  gra-\L 

Alas!  my  father,  thy  ignoble  heir, 

Feels  not  the  haughty  grief  thou  would'st  inspire— 

His  life,  his  light,  his  luxury,  is  here! 

This  cell  is  luminous  to  his  fond  sense, 

While  thick'ning  blackness  now  deforms  the  world. 

Give  me  the  banquet  of  thy  presence  still; 

Strive  not  my  spirit  to  divorce  from  thine, 

Nor  scorn  the  stricken,  who,  with  thee  would  die 

Briton!  wert  thou  baptised  at  mercy's  fount? 

Or  was  it  frozen  at  thy  fatal  birth? 

Victor!  didst  thou  behold  the  stony  gaze. 

The  marble  fixedness  of  mute  despair, 


41 


The  swift  retreat  of  reason  from  her  thronf 
"When,  on  the  tortured  sense  of  filial  love, 
Fell  the  defaced  image  of  his  sire? 
Yet  peace  to  thee!  and  may  thy  prisoned  soul, 
Ransomed  from  Death,  attain  its  final  goal. 


0 


tit 


THE  APPLE. 

An  Apple  lay  where  luxury  reigned^ 
The  verdant  globe  by  all  disdained, 

Soon  caught  my  wandering  eye; 
Strange,  by  what  spell  in  Eden's  bow 
Mid  thousand  lovelier  fruits  and  flowe 

Fair  Eve  for  this  should  sigh. 

As  thus  I  thought,  a  laughing  child. 
£nfent  on  freaks,  and  gambols  wild, 

The  fruit  a  foot  ball  made; 
Which,  breaking  as  it  onward  rollYi. 
J^ike  Jotham's  vocal  trees  of  old. 

Remonstrance  thus  essay 'd; 

Hash  boy — thy  impious  sport  forbear 
And  patient  lend  thy  youthful  ear, 

To  what  I  shall  unfold. 
In  Paradise,  by  Heaven's  behest 


4^ 


The  seeds  of  knowledge  in  my  breast. 
Lay  pure  as  virgin  gold. 

The  peerless  Orange,  bride  of  day5 
Her  proud  alliance  to  display, 

Disclosed  her  sun-gilt  ring; 
The  purple  Grape  its  prison  burst, 
With  nectar  to  allay  the  thirst 

Of  man — creation's  King. 

In  vain  Pomona's  treasures  gleam'd, 
And  odorous  tears  unheeded  stream'd, 

Before  the  primal  pair; 
Still  panting  for  that  precious  food, 
Whose  taste  made  truth  first  understood. 

And  men,  like  Gods  appear. 

When  Liberty  arose  with  Tell, 
A  tyrant's  lawless  pride  to  quell, 

What  victim  earliest  bled? 
W'ith  broken  heart  I  fell  to  earth, 
That  Independence  might  have  birth, 

Nor  guiltless  blood  be  shed. 


44 


Fair  Science  too,  must  homage  yield; 
For  who  to  Newton  first  reveal'd 

Attraction's  laws  profound? 
'Twas  I — who  falling  at  his  feet 
Inspired  the  glorious  conceit, 

Which  Fame  will  e'er  resound 

Nor  rest  my  proud  pretensions  here, 
Enshrined  within  a  golden  sphere, 

As  beauty's  palm  I  shone; 
Even  majesty  with  wrath  was  fir'd, 
And  wisdom  frowningly  retir'd, 

When  by  the  fairest  won. 

Ah!  fickle  Fate,  delighting  still, 

To  change  the  course  of  Fortune's  Wheel, 

Thou'st  brought  me  to  the  dust. 
Let  this  instruct  thee,  wayward  child, 
How  soon  thy  soul  may  be  defiled — 

And  but  in  mercy  trust. 

That  gentle  impulse  then  obey — 
^for  let  the  triumph  of  a  day, 
Thy  mortal  doom  efface: 


45 

And  as  compassion  fails  or  flows, 
May  joys  prevail,  or  bitter  woes, 
Thro'  life's  unequal  race, 


46 


BONAPARTE  AND   THE  SENTINEL. 

-'On  the  night  ensuing  the  long  and  dreadful  battle 
of  Areola,  Bonaparte  disguised  himself  in  the  dress  of 
an  inferior  officer,  and  traversed  the  camp.  Tn  the 
course  of  his  round,  he  discovered  a  centinel  leaning 
on  the  but-end  of  his  musket  in  a  profound  sleep.  Bo- 
naparte, taking  the  musket  from  under  him,  placed  his 
head  gently  on  the  ground,  and  kept  watch  for  two 
hours  in  his  stead;  at  the  end  of  which  the  regular 
guard  came  to  relieve  him.  On  awaking,  the  soldier 
was  astonished  at  seeing  a  young  officer  doing  duty  for 
him;  but  when,  looking  more  attentively,  he  recogni- 
sed in  this  officer  the  commander-in-chief,  his  aston- 
ishment was  converted  into  terror.  "The  Geneial! — 
Bonaparte!'1  he  exclaimed — "I  am  then  undone." — 
Bonaparte,  with  the  utmost  gentleness,  replied:  uNot 
so,  fellow-soldier:  recover  yourself:  after  so  much  fa- 
tigue, a  brave  man  like  you  may  be  allowed  for  awhile 
to  sleep;  but  in  future,  choose  your  time  better." 


47 


The  Chieftain  from  his  courser  sprang,  and  with  a  flash~ 
ing  eye 

Grasped  that  tri-colored  Banner  he  would  defend  or  die, 
Waving  it  proudly  o'er  the  bridge,  he  bounded  to  its 
verge, 

On  to  Areola's  battle-field,  his  warriors  to  urge. 
Shall  Lodi's  laurels  wither  here?  Forbid  it  Fame  and 
France! 

Follow  your  leader,  gallant  hearts — to  Victory  advance. 
Dauntless  each  bosom,  when  he  touched  Enthusiasm's 
chord; 

And  Austria's  haughty  genius  bowed  at  that  young  he- 
ro's word. 

'Tis  midnight — and  a  measured  tread  upon  the  captured 
ground, 

Denotes  that  Valor's  daring  work,  by  Vigilance  is 
crowned. 

It  ceases— and  on  Glory's  prop,  the  Sentinel  reposes, 
Transported  to  his  cottage-home,  amid  his  bovver  of  ro^ 

ses, 

By  the  delusive  power  that  loves  in  flowery  links  to  bind 
The  spirit  that  would  scorn  its  sway  over  the  conscious 
mind. 

But  soon  upon  that  martial  couch  a  mighty  hand  is  prest? 


48 


Yet  gently,  as  a  sire  afraid  to  break  his  infant's  rest. 
Softly  upon  the  verdant  soil  the  sleeper's  head  is  laid, 
"While  round  the  noble  Corsican,  the  beams  of  mercy 
pla)  ed. 

And  he  who  o'er  Italia's  plains  victorious  legions  led, 
Was  now  at  that  subaltern's  post,  pacing  with  noiseless 
tread. 

Horror!  the  hours  of  duty  past,  a  comrade  brings  relief. 
At  the  qui  vive  theslumberer  starts — it  issues  from  his 
Chief! 

Napoleon!  or  do  I  yet  dream?  Alas!  I  am  undone: 
Farewell  my  long-forsaken  wife — farewell  to  thee  my 

son! 

Dismiss  thy  fear — thou  art  not  doomed  to  that  ignoble 
death 

Whose  lightnings  were  decreed  to  blast  the  Traitor's 

tarnished  wreath. 
Sleep  is  thy  only  conqueror,  invincible  to  all; 
E'en  Bonaparte  surrenders  to  its  resistless  thrall. 


THE  PERI'S  ALPHABET* 

A  Peri  kept  an  Infant  School, 
And  blossoms  were  her  Alphabet, 
Let  none  the  idea  ridicule, 
For  who  can  Eden's  tree  forget? 

And  Seminary  is  a  word, . 
Of  Latin  Etymology; 
Seed-scattering  is  thence  inferred, 
In  typical  Anthology. 

The  implements  of  her  vocation, 
Were  altogether  picturesque; 
A  Thistle-rod  for  flagellation, 
A  Dahlia  for  a  writing  desk. 

A  Pistil  for  a  pointer  stood, 

A  Calyx  for  a  standish; 

And  nettle- pens  with  dew  imbued? 

For  tiny  hands  to  brandish. 

5 


I  listened  to  the  fragrant  lore, 
Sweetly  from  Cherub  lips  effused; 
And  from  a  ravenous  book-worm  bore, 
This  little  fragment  much  abused, 

The  letters  were  by  Amaranth  headed, 
The  marvel  called  of  Spain's  parterre; 
To  Zephyrusthe  sportive  wedded, 
Fidelity  was  figured  there. 

Bachelor's  buttons  followed  next. 
Their  russet  petals  rearing, 
To  brighten  the  symbolic  text, 
With  Hopefor  the  despairing. 

To  these  the  Chamomile*  succeeded,, 
Firmness  in  fate's  dark  hour; 


'During  the  revolutionary  war,  a  British  Officer  walking  the^a'den, 
of  a  patriotic  American  lad)  ,  who  attended  him  with  much  reluctance, 
came  to  a  flourishing  bed  of  Chamomile,  and  enquired  the  name  of 
that  low  flower.  "The  Rebel's  flower,"  replied  she  instantly.  "Why 
so  called?"  questioned  he.  "Because,"  replied  she  boldly,  "it  flour- 
ishes the  more,  the  more  it  is  trampled  on  " 


51 


Oppression's  tramp  has  ne'er  impeded, 
Th'  aspiring  Rebel-flower. 

Then  that  Polyphemus  of  plants. 
The  Daisy  single-eyed; 
Which  in  botanical  romance. 
To  pure  simplicity's  allied. 

Wild-briar  Rose  sweet  Eglantine, 
Her  matinal  odours  next  resigned; 
And  kindred  to  the  garden  Queen, 
With  buds  of  meaner  birth  entwined. 

Fox-glove  whose  purple  vest  conceals; 
Its  hollow  heart,  came  next  in  order; 
His  ringer  oft  consumption  heals, 
"Tis  insincerity* s  recorder. 

Geranium  was  the  seventh  letter, 

To  the  fair  pupil's  view  unfolded; 

Gentility  became  its  debtor, 

Jler  features  there  were  chastely  moulded, 

Then  classic  Hyacinthus  spread, 


3% 


Its  darkest  leaf  denoting  sorrow  \ 
But  when  the  >apphire  type  is  read, 
An  emblem  constancy  may  borrow. 

Iris*  the  protegee  of  France, 
Her  lovely  bellof  promise  hung; 
The  pigmies  progress  to  advance, 
In  vegetable  mother-tongue. 

Jasmine  the  star  of  Flora's  heaven, 
Patrician  elegance  displays; 
And  delicacy  too  is  given, 
In  its  sidereal  rays. 

King-cup  with  its  canary  hue, 
Great  riches  signifies; 
'Twas  from  this  goblet  Psyche  dreW^ 
The  nectar  for  her  Butterflies. 


*  ''This  flower  being  adopted  by  the  Seventh  Louis  for  the  engra- 
ving of  his  Coat  of  Arms,  and  his  name  being  contracted  into  Luce, 
it  was  then  called  the  fieur  de  Luce,  now,  fleur  de  Lys."- — Le 
Spectacle  de  la  JVature 


53 


Grace  and  remembered  Joy  were  linke- 
In  the  Laburnum's  golden  chain; 
But  yielding  to  its  old  instinct, 
It  languished  for  its  stem  again. 

And  Mignionette  the  little  nun, 
In  meekness  shed  her  soft  perfume; 
Letters  receding  from  the  Hun, 
Were  sheltered  in  the  cloistral  dome . 

Nasturtion's*  phosphorescent  fire, 
The  hieroglyphic  list  enlightened; 
To  wit  elicited  from  Ire, 
Th'  electric  blossom  has  been  likened. 

Orchist  that  seems  from  hive  to  stem, 
Transferred  by  sudden  transmigration; 
As  if  'twas  Nature's  stratagem, 
To  give  Industry's  illustration. 

*  In  the  warm  montlis  only  the  Nasturtion  is  observed  to  emit 
gleams  of  light  resembling  electric  flashes. 

£  Orchis,  sometimes  called  the  Bee-flower  from  its  resemblance  to 
that  insect. 

5* 


54 

Pansy  with  gold  and  purple  streaked, 
Its  lovely  tribute  thither  brought; 
It  seemed  some  Fairy's  pencil  freaked, 
This  image  bright  of  chequered  Thought. 

By  epicurean  bees  we  trace, 

The  Rose  that  Venus  of  the  Bower; 

Sultana  of  the  floral  race, 

Round  which  Love,  Youth,  and  Beauty  hovel 

Its  radiant  disk  to  rising  light, 
The  Sabean*  sunflower  turns; 
Till  vesper  dews  extinguish  quite, 
The  incense  of  her  golden  urns. 

Fantastic  Tulip  type  of  pride, 
With  heart  of  jet,  and  lips  of  coral; 
And  volatiles  that  round  her  glide. 
Presented  a  most  brilliant  moral 


*  The  Sun-flower  is  termed  Sabean,  bepause  like  that  sect,  he 
seems  to  worship  the  sun 


55 


The  Violet  her  proximate, 
From  admiration  would  lecede. 
To  faithfulness  'tis  dedicate, 
'Twas  Poetry's*  inspiring  meed. 

Now  on  the  willow  hang  my  lyre, 
Like  Zion's  harps  in  mournful  rest; 
While  Love  forlorn  lies  on  the  wire, 
It  cannot  by  the  Muse  be  prest. 

*  The  Trobadours  contended  for  a  golden  viol 


56 


THE  FALSE  TO  THE  FORSAKEN. 

In  reply  to  a  piece  by  Thomas  Haynes  Bailey— r-cn/t'ffed 
the  "Forsaken  io  the  False." 

Oh!  sully  not  thy  seraph-lip  with  words  so  full  of  scorn, 
Profaning  thus  the  crimson  shrine  where  Purity  wag 
born. 

Weep  for  the  wandering  infidel  whose  deadly  bosom 
strife, 

Has  stirred  each  bitter  drop  that  lurks  within  the  stream 
of  life. 

And  think  not  that  the  Captive's  chain  his  senses  can  ap- 
pal, 

Whose  every  fibre  vainly  swells  to  burst  the  Spirit's 
thrall. 

No!  darker  far  than  dungeon  gloom  the  soul  to  Honor 
dead, 

From  whose  recess  Serenity's  affrighted  dove  has  fled. 
Away  with  minstrel  melodies — my  heart  responds  no  tone 


57 


Save  that  which  trembling  memory  wakes  upon  her 

cloudy  throne. 
Away  with  syren  beauties — no  balm  can  they  dispense, 
While  the  vision  of  thy  loveliness  yet  lingers  on  my 

sense. 

When  Spring  from  Flora's  sleeping  child  the  frosty  man- 
tle casts, 

The  rosy  cherub  lifts  its  head  forgetful  of  chill  blasts; 
But  never  let  the  bud  of  Love  a  wintry  torpor  know, 
Hope's  golden  season  comes  no  more  to  renovate  its 
glow. 

Yet  more  accursed  by  Fate  than  thee,  in  sleepless  dreams 
I  feel 

The  point  Remorse  delights  to  whet,  the  keen,  though 

viewless  steel. 
In  visionary  horrors  wrapt,  from  gulfs  of  deep  despair, 
I  spring  towards  Salvation's  Rock — a  vengeful  arm  is 

there! 

In  mockery  thou  hold'st  a  chain  no  power  may  unclasp, 
Madly  I  seize  the  promised  pledge,  it  severs  in  my 
grasp. 

The  broken  links  are  cast  on  me,  and  as  I  slowly  sink, 
The  rock  becomes  a  flowery  scene.    Felicity's  fair 
brink! 


5& 


From  whence  the  perjured  dashed  the  pure  and  broke 

the  spell  of  youth. 
E'en  while  in  melting  accents  fell  the  tender  vow  of 

truth 

The  Vullure^s  cry  would  startle  thee,  its  w  ildness  would 
dismay 

When  Fancy  draws  his  frailty  forth  in  withering  array. 
Thy  curse  would  lose  its  venom — thy  strain  its  caustic 
lire, 

And  Mercy's  tears  in  silence  fall  upon  thy  broken  lyre' 


51) 


THE   DOUBLE-HEADED  SERPENT, 

OR  FEVER  PHYSICAL  AND  POLITICAL 

'Twixt  the  vile  Dengue  Fever 

And  the  Tariff,  that  lever, 

That's  to  raise  certain  people  so  high; 

Old  Charleston  dismayed 

At  her  Health  and  her  Trade, 

In  a  languishing  state  now  doth  lie 

With  political  heat 

Every  pulse  seems  to  beat 

To  aggravate  physical  pain; 

And  menace  and  moan 

Are  usurping  the  throne 

Where  thought's  great  executive  reigns, 

Our  spirits  are  damped 
Bv  systems  so  cramped 
That  no  Constitution  supports  it; 


60 


Each  member  affected 

Has  therefore  rejected 

The  motion  that  only  distorts  it. 

And  sure  it  is  cruel 

That  homespun  and  gruel 

Should  be  taken  against  our  taste; 

Such  raiment  and  diet 

"Would  make  Job  unquiet 

And  his  whole  stock  of  patience  soon  waste. 

To  a  glass  of  snake-root 

This  toast  now  impute, 

May  the  two  headed  serpent  be  slain: 

For  when  party  is  banished,  ' 

And  fever  has  vanished 

The  Southron  his  strength  will  regain 


61 


THESPIAN  APPEAL.. 

When  tire  War-bugle  and  the  Tocsin  cease. 
And  martial  echoes  yield  to  sounds  of  peace; 
When  Fancy  feats  no  fatal  influence  near, 
Her  light  to  quench  or  verdant  laurels  sear, 
In  lovely  visions  rise  her  fairy  band, 
And  countless  Ariels  obey  her  wand. 
For  tearless  trophies  genius  then  contends, 
And  Thespian  knights  to  tragic  tourneys  sends « 
WTith  Satire's  archery,  subtle  Passion  foils. 
That  serpent-like  in  human  bosoms  coils. 
What  Art  may  boast  superior  worth  to  man? 
What  Science  best  assists  the  moral  plan? 
Can  Sculpture's  marble  populace  reclaim 
The  vicious  reveller  from  the  wreck  of  Fame  ? 
Or  Painting  with  its  fragmentary  lore, 
The  deep  recesses  of  the  heart  explore, 
Or  with  the  Drama's  complicated  force, 
Remove  the  foul  obstructions  to  remorse? 
6 


62 


He-action  there  from  frailty  far  disjoined. 
Too  languidly  rebukes  the  wandering  mindj 
Their  mute  monitions  failing  to  control, 
Still  leave  "th'  offending  Adam"  in  the  soul. 
But  here  confederate  in  Virtue's  cause, 
Each  Muse  triumphant  to  her  standard  draws. 
In  bold  crusade  'gainst  Vice  and  Folly  rise 
The  frail  to  check,  the  flagrant  to  chastise. 
What  strikes  the  moral  sense  of  human  kind, 
More  than  Ambition's  ''dagger  of  the  mind?" 
Or  tenderness  transformed  to  jealous  doubt, 
Putting  the  light  of  Truth  and  Beauty  out? 
Love's*  "silvery  mists"  and  all  its  summer  glow, 
By  rashness  changed  to  sable  clouds  of  woe? 
Where  shall  Apostates  from  the  filial  creed, 
Beneath  a  keener  stroke  of  Conscience  bleed, 
Than  when  the  Royal  IVJartyrt  sends  to  Heaven 
A  curse  that  shows  how  Nature's  chords  were  riven* 
Each  maddening  impulse  that  the  spirit  moves 
In  scenic  portraiture  its  semblance  proves. 
Nor  these  alone,  but  sprightlier  moods  belong 


Romeo  and  Juliet,  t  Lear 


63 


And  sweeter  spells  io  the  dramatic  throng. 
Wit  springing  up  from  his  "Midsummer's  dream, 
Points  to  the  Avon  as  his  native  stream. 
Or  gilds  his  arrows  in  the  "Emerald  Isle," 
1  o  cast  out  motes  or  baffle  scandal's  wile. 
And  mystic  Harmony,  that  child  of  air, 
With  song  and  reed  and  mellow  horn  is  here, 
To  breathe  and  die  yet  leave  its  soft  control, 
Its  seraph  influence  in  the  chastened  soul. 
Since  then  the  Stage  can  link  such  various  arts 
To  soothe  the  sense  and  sanctify  our  hearts, 
And  Pleasure's  purest  Temple  is  the  sphere, 
Where  the  alliance  of  a  Smile  and  Tear, 
Like  Hope  and  Sorrow  in  the  bond  of  Fate, 
Reflects  the  tenure  of  our  mortal  state; 
Bond  hither  gentle  arbiters  of  Taste 
Ye  who  irradiate  Life's  sterile  waste; 
And  hither  bend  all  ye  of  graver  mould, 
While  Fiction's  hand  a  telescope  doth  hold, 
Can  Time's  remotest  periods  bring  to  view 
And  all  its  faded  images  renew. 


THE   RIVAL.  SENSES. 

Two  lovely  sisters  onee  referred  to  Reason's  arbitration 
Their  several  long-contested  claims  to  general  admira- 
ration. 

Fair  Visuala  first  appeared  before  the  judgment  seat, 
And  in  her  azure  tunic  looked  most  languishingly  sweet. 
Trembling  awhile  with  downcast  air  she  dropt  her 
snowy  veil, 

But  kindling  soon  with  confidence  proceeded  to  appeal. 
Through  a  contracted  casement,  long  I  gazed  upon  the 
world, 

Until  by  Sentiment  arrayed,  by  Sympathy  impearled, 
I  flashed  in  conscious  beauty  forth— and  with  a  magic 
ball 

Struck  all  the  hidden  chords  of  Love,  and  held  the  heart 
in  thrall. 

Mine  is  the  elfin  mirror  too,  whose  fairy  forms  convey, 
Light  to  imagination's  cell  and  round  her  visions  play. 
When  Time  has  o'er  the  tracery  of  Recollection  past* 


65 


My  rays  re-gild  the  images  his  shadow  had  o'ercast. 
Iris  in  vain  with  graceful  curve  rnigh£  on  the  cloud  re- 
cline, 

Were  I  not  there  her  glowing  hues  and  grandeur  to  de- 
fine. 

'Tis  mine  with  grapic  skill  to  mark  the  planetary  blaze, 
And  track  Urania's  truant  child  through  his  erratic  ways. 
Should  Ion  mimic  Portraiture  mychrystal  portals  close, 
In  vain  on  Nature's  lineaments  her  vivid  tints  she  throws. 
No  more — I  see  my  eloquence  your  gravity  disarms, 
For  even  reason  boasts  no  shield  against  my  various 
charms. 

The  Judge  relaxed  into  a  smile  when  the  soft  pleader 
ceased, 

And  from  her  painful  silence  next -Auricula  released. 
A  prelude  on  the  drum  was  heard  ere  this  appellant 
spoke, 

And  at  the  sound  the  faculties  though  dormant  then  a~ 
woke . 

Well  has  my  rival  now  displayed  attractions  that  may 
vie 

For  their  enchanting  elegance  with  aught  beneath  the 
sky. 

But  not  exclusively  her  gift  some  of  those  vaunted  powers 
6* 


66 


ftfot  hor's  alone  th'  inspiring  form  round  dreaming  Fan- 
cy hovers; 

And  Memory  reposing  oft  upon  Oblivion's  brink, 
Starts  when  electric  Echo  strikes  Association's  link. 
Was  she  the  sylph  whose  talisman  touched  sightless  Ho- 
mer's muse? 

O'er  Milton's  Eden  did  her  spell  celestial  bloom  diffuse  ": 
Spirit  of  Melody!  to  whom  the  mightiest  have  knelt, 
That  senseless  nerve  has  never  yet  thy  soft  vibrations 
felt. 

The  melting  cadence  of  thy  song — the  breathings  of  thy 
shell, 

Through  me  usurp  th'  impassioned  soul  and  Feeling's 
course  impel; 

To  Reason  now  they  both  app^ear'd  so  equal  in  their 
claims, 

Alike  so  pleasing  in  their  arts  and  in  their  generous  aims, 
Perplexed  the  Umpire  soon  resigned  the  task  of  arbitra 
tion, 

Declaring  both  entitled  well  to  general  admiration 


THE   PRODIGAL  SON. 

The  Palm-trees  are  waving  in  morn's  purple  light, 
And  Camels  are  bending  beneath  their  broad  shade> 

To  receive  from  yon  pilgrim  a  burden  more  slight^ 
Than  that  on  the  heart  of  a  Father  now  laid. 

Sublime  in  his  sadness  the  Sire  advances — 
His  faltering  steps  by  his  first-born  sustained; 

On  the  self-exiled  stripling  he  pensively  glances; 

The  child,  who  his  grey-haired  control  now  disdained. 

Beloved!  has  thy  bosom  no  filial  access, 

That  tenderness  touching  thy  soul  may  subdue? 

No  chord  fond  remembrance  may  feelingly  press, 
The  thrilling  vibrations  of  Love  to  renew? 

Ah,  no!  thou  wilt  fly  from  thy  guardian  and  guide, 
With  the  crafty  and  courtly  thou'lt  mingle  afar  ; 

And  thy  youth  on  the  passions  tempestuous  tide, 
Will  struggle  and  weep  for  its  lost  beacon  starj 


68 

Vare  thee  well!  Fare  thee  well!  at  distance  thou'lt  think 
Of  thy  home,  and  the  placid  delights  thou'st  forsaken; 
Nay,  bend  thy  proud  head — from  my  blessing  ne'er 
shrink, 

In  the  land  of  the  stranger  pure  thoughts  'twill  awa 
ken. 

Impatient,  the  wayward  youth  wends  on  his  way— 
His  fancy  outstripping  the  swift  Camel's  speed. 

In  banquets  and  revels  brief  years  pass  away, 
'Till  Purity,  Plenty  and  Peace  are  all  fled. 

The  Palm-trees  are  waving  in  morn's  purple  light. 

A  Pilgrim  is  standing  beneath  their  broad  shade; 
His  eye  fain  would  look  on  that  Heav'n  so  bright, 

But  his  soul's  pious  impulse  by  sin  is  dismayed. 

In  sorrow  the  feeble  lid  heavily  bent, 

And  his  cold  slimy  lip  shewed  that  famine  was  near. 
The  sharp  bones  his  fragments  of  finery  rent, 

And  his  once  haughty  brow  revealed  trenches  of  care. 

Yet  Nature,  thy  vision  than  Eagle's  more  piercing, 
Nor  griefs  sad  mutations,  nor  guilt's  can  evade: 


69 


One  glance — and  the  Prodigal  Son  is  rehearsing 

On  his  Sire's  fond  breast,  how  the  wreck  had  been 
made. 

Enough,  my  lost  darling!  my  own  famish'd  heart, 
In  thy  presence  now  blest,  shall  again  taste  of  joy; 

^eath  the  balm  of  affection,  thy  wounds  shall  depart, 
And  my  rapturous  tears  be  thy  cordial,  my  boy. 

Hark!  laughtet  and  minstrelsy  float  on  the  galey 
Still  rising  on  jealousy's  ear  like  a  knell, 

•'Shall  the  toil  of  my  prime,  of  its  recompense  fail? 
And  honor  be  his,  who  from  virtue  late  fell  ?" 

Ah,  cease!  for  the  harps  of  the  Seraphs  are  ringing. 

The  triumph  of  mercy  o'er  spirits  that  err; 
Pure  sighs  from  the  soul  of  the  penitent  springing, 

IVith  their  melodies  reach  the  celestial  sphere! 

Forbear!  nor  pollute  with  thy  envious  plaint, 
What  Angels  delight  to  behold  and  record; 

For  frailty  redeemed  from  corruption's  dark  taint, 
Ls  hallowed  as  Saints,  in  the  sight  of  thy  LordA 


7i 


A  FREAK  OP  FANCV. 

A  Congress  of  animals  lately  convened, 

When  Renard  the  subtle  upon  a  stump  leaned, 

To  declare  the  occasion  that  brought  them  together, 

At  the  tinkling  summons  of  Signor  Behvether. 

He  knew  he  possesed  not  the  art  oratorical, 

The  eloquent  gesture,  or  grace  metaphorical; 

Yet  before  public  exigence  every  thing  vanished, 

And  therefore  false  shame  from  his  bosom  was  banished. 

As  Genius,  he  said,  was  of  no  sect  or  station, 

But  a  root  known  to  flourish  in  every  nation, 

He  could  not  in  justice  to  each  fellow-brute, 

Believe  they  were  all  of  that  gift  destitute. 

There  are  some  among  us  much  addicted  to  prating, 

While  others  less  sprightly  prefer  rumivaiing. 

Their  various  talents  with  due  cultivation, 

31  ay  elevate  those  to  some  high  legal  station ; 

W  bile  the  laHer  adorning  Philosophy's  chair, 

New  temples  to  Fame  may  ambitiously  rear 


71 


Graniology  now  with  long  strides  is  advancing; 

And  though  sages  may  call  it  the  art  of  romancing. 

The  Lynx,  who  is  hlest  with  uncommon  perception. 

Foresees  it  will  meet  with  a  flatt'ring  reception. 

I  now  recommend  that  we  forthwith  depute, 

Some  shrewd-looking,  silver-toned,  garrulous  brute, 

The  ablest  Phrenologist  soon  to  select, 

Organic  developements  here  to  inspect. 

Our  several  capacities  thus  ascertained, 

We  shall  speedily  know  if  it  e'er  was  ordained, 

That  we  should  enjoy  the  diffusion  of  learning, 

For  which  my  aspiring  spirit  is  yearning. 

When  the  envoy  by  this  honored  body  is  named, 

Without  more  delay  let  credentials  be  framed. 

Goose-quills  in  abundance  conveniently  stand; 

One  of  these  may  be  dipt  in  the  Great  Cuttle* a  gland 

From  the  Sheep  in  a  trice  you  may  parchment  procure 

And  the  Seal  will  its  oecrecy  doubtless  insure. 

The  speaker  thought  fit  at  this  period  to  pause, 

And  his  motion  elicited  general  applause: 

Except  from  the  Serpent  and  Owl,  who  expected 

By  hissing  and  hooting  to  have  it  lejected. 

A  few  restive  horses  too,  hoped  by  their  neighs 

To  escape  the  curb-rein  that  enlightenment  lays;— 


72 


Bnt  pity  alone  or  contempt  was  excited, 

For  those  who  preferred  to  continue  benighted, 

And  now  a  discussion  the  most  animated, 

Arose  about  him  who  shouid  be  delegated — 

The  Crab  was  too  backward,  the  Cur  too  dogmatic, 

And  the  Porpus  (who  had  a  great  head)  was  asthmatic 

Categorical  arguments  would  not  be  needed, 

Therefore  the  pretensions  of  Puss  was  unheeded. 

The  Dolphin  changed  cohr  at  being  proposed; 

And  the  Dormouse  at  thtt  very  meeting  had  dozed 

The  Emmet  declared  that  his  claim  was  Anterior 

To  any  one  there,  though  they  might  be  superior. 

The  herdby  a  number  of  precedents  showed, 

That  to  send  out  a  Bull  was  the  Catholic  mode. 

To  silence  the  clamour,  a  beautiful  bird 

Fluttered  up  to  the  Fox,  and  requested  a  word 

'Tvvas  the  Carrier-pigeon,  the  legate  of  Love, 

"Whose  right  to  that  dignity  none  could  disprove. 

With  his  known  shining  qualities,  speed  was  combined. 

And  each  candidate  soon  in  his  favor  resigned. 

IVIay  the  loveliest  of  envoys  find  grace  in  the  sight 

Of  all  who  dispense  intellectual  light. 


THE  METEOR  AND  THE  PLYING  FISH. 

It  was  a  brilliant  summer's  eve, 
When  sportive  sylphs  delight  to  leave 

Inerowds  their  distant  caves; 
And  Fancy  tracks  their  tiny  prints 
Among  the  fairest  flower  tints 

That  e'er  the  dew-star  laves. 
I  stood  upon  the  Ocean's  brink, 
And  felt  my  spirit  pant  to  link 

Itself  with  loftier  things; 
When  lo!  an  exiled  child  of  space, 
Th'  ephemera  ©t  the  starry  race, 

A  meteor,  earthward  springs. 
*The  semi  sea-bird  marked  its  flight 
And  vainly  strove  to  reach  the  height 

From  whence  the  ethereal  fell; 

*  The  Flying  Fish. 

7 


74 


Then  bitterly  broke  forth  in  ire-r- 
"Sun-born  yet  ineffectual  fire, 

Can  erring  nature  tell 
Why  thou,  a  splendid'mockery, 
Impatient  of  the  glorious  sky, 

Should'st  briefly  brighten  there? 
While  I,  disdainful  of  the  deep, 
In  crystal  confines  still  must  sleep, 

Nor  fill  that  genial  sphere  ?" 
I  started-— for  that  thought  allied 
Itself  to  my  aspiring  pride, 

That  musingly  conjured 
Each  spirit  of  intelligence 
To  break  the  bonds  and  bars  of  sense. 

That  Heaven  might  be  explored. 
That  circling ^ree  round  Dian's  throne 
I  might  transpierce  that  mystic  zone 

Wrhere  worlds  lie  unrevealed; 
But  Faith  arrested  Fancy  here, 
And  caught  my  penitential  tear 

On  her  celestial  shield. 


Hii  fd  b«*  M»NM 


ON  THE  DEATH  OF  MY  PRECEPTOR* 

ISAAC  HARBY,  ESQ. 

Forbear  your  lighter  moods  ye  lyric  throng, 

Subdue  your  sprightly  chords  to  pensive  songj 

Let  cypress  now  supplant  your  rosy  crowns, 

Relentless  fate  on  kindred  genius  frowns. 

Light  of  my  youth!  shall  not  my  timid  muse 

In  tributary  verse  her  woe  effuse? 

Ait  thou  not  linked  with  every  record  dear, 

That  mem'ry  loves  to  trace  from  childhood's  sphere?? 

"Wer't  thou  not  he  from  whom  my  spirit  caught 

Its  proudest  aspirations  to  high  thought? 

Whose  genial  beam  chased  intellectual  gloom, 

W  hose  mental  radiance  cherished  fancy's  bloom, 

Fired  with  ambitious  hopes  my  ardent  soul, 

And  bent  its  energies  to  truth's  control? 

Alas!  the  broken  spell  of  wit  and  taste, 

Thus  from  the  social  ring  fore'er  displaced! 

The  vivid  scintillations  of  a  mind 


7b 

By  nature  gifted  and  by  lore  refined; 
Whose  buoyant  brilliancy  could  e'er  dispense 
Vivacity  and  vigor  to  the  sense, 
W  ith  flexile  and  ingenious  art  could  spread 
Rich  classic  gems  o'er  the  colloquial  thread; 
With  frolic  humour  laugh  in  sunny  glades; 
Or  walk  with  science  in  her  deepest  shades. 
Echoes  of  alt  are  in  the  heart's  recess, 
Dreams  of  departed  joys  thy  power  confess ^ 
The  spoiler  triumphs  o'er  the  child  of  earth. 
But  weeping  Fame  renews  his  moral  birth 


77 


FEMALE  PATRIOTISM  IN  POLAND. 

"We  have  made  cannons  of  our  bells."  "Yes — there 
are  six  thousand  of  us  who  have  yielded  up  to  our 
country  all  that  we  have  left,  all  that  women  deem 
most  precious  in  the  world,  our  marriage  rings," 

She  gazed  upon  the  golden  pledge — oh!  how  could  she 
forget, 

When  first  upon  her  trembling  hand,  Love's  glitt'ring 
seal  was  set; 

When  Hope,  upon  the  cherished  link,  a  softened  lustre 
shed^ 

And  she  had  thought,  confidingly,  on'roses  e'er  to  tread. 
Again  she  looked  upon  the  ring,  and  faster  flowed  her 
tears, 

For  in  that  fairy  circle  dwelt  the  memory  of  years — 
The  purity  of  bridal  vows,  the  promise  ne'er  to  sever* 
But  in  delight  or  peril  still,  cling  to  the  plighted  ever. 
And  is  it  Freedom,  before  whom  Felicity  has  flown? 
7* 


78 


Yes!  for  that  shrine  my  lord  forsook  his  own  domestic 
throne; 

The  legends  of  his  trampled  land  chivalrous  deeds  dis- 
close, 

And  Kosciusco's  laurels  late  deprived  him  of  repose. 
The  purple  trail  that  Carnage  leaves  upon  the  blushing 
earth, 

Will  guide  you  to  my  hero's  tomb,  where  victory  had 
birth: 

E'en  Temples  must,  with  mute  appeal,  to  Piety  invoke, 
For  now  their  brazen  tongues  resound  but  Liberty's 
bold  stroke. 

Shall  I,  degenerate,  then  reserve  the  trophy  of  my  heart, 
When  even  holiness,  for  this,  must  with  her  heralds  part? 
Away  !  and  mingle  with  the  pile  that  Patriotism's  wand 
Converts,  by  purest  alchymy,  to  Freedom's  fiery  brand. 
No  fond  regret  shall  sully  now  the  glorious  oblation, 
The  sanctifying  sacrifice,  that  liberates  a  nation* 


new-year's  address — 1828. 

Come  listen  to  time  in  the  valley  of  tears, 
Unveiling  to  man  the  illusions  of  years, 
Of  specious  disguises  all  things  disposessing, 
His  touchstone  transforms  e'en  the  bane  to  a  blessing; 
And  that  which  seem'd  precious  to  mortal  perception., 
The  oracle's  voice  still  proclaims  mere  deception^ 
Oh!  what  does  the  monitor's  record  unfold. 
Felicities  fleeting  like  false,  fairy  gold, 
Ambition  aspiring  to  reach  barren  heights, 
Youth's  volatile  chase  of  unreal  delights, 
Of  joys  that  like  Spring's  florid  beauties  depart, 
Regaling  the  sense,  but  ne'er  reaching  the  heart. 
Shall  Hope  then  alone  boast  perpetual  prime? 
No,  Memory's  bloom  is  immortal  as  Time, 
Redeemer  and  Prophetess  born  in  the  soul, 
Still  mingle  your  powers  to  mock  his  control. 
Bright  types  of  the  Future  and  Past,  now  appear, 
Catch  the  sign  of  the  parting  and  speed  the  New-Yea** 


so 

While  Hope's  silver  plume  rests  o'er  classical  isles, 
Hemembrance  springs  back  amid  Spaitan  defiles, 
To  show  how  superior  to  buckler  or  tower, 
Are  breasts  mailed  by  Freedom  and  Truth's  mora! 
pow'r. 

Again  shall  those  radiant  spirits  dispel, 
From  Poetry's  rock  and  Philosophy's  cell 
Those  shadows  of  darkness  fell  tyranny  flung 
O'er  the  Eden  in  which  Epic  genius  first  sung 
Oh!  joy  to  the  world,  the  avenger  is  near, 
To  shiver  the  Ottoman's  sceptre  and  spear: 
The  vision  still  brightens — Hope's  iris  appears^ 
And  Grecia  the  charter  of  liberty  bears. 
Again  prostrate  Muses  shall  start  from  the  dust 
And  ransom  their  harp-strings  from  silence  and  rust; 
And  Sculpture  once  more  on  her  pedestal  place 
Some  beaming  conception  of  grandeur  or  grace! 
Strive  on  all  ye  nations,  whose  banners  are  blending. 
Till  Peace  on  each  beautiful  islet  descending, 
Calls  Fame  from  her  exile  fresh  laurels  to  twine, 
And  lay  the  bright  garland  on  Liberty's  shrine. 

But  has  Pity  no  tear  for  Peruvian  chains? 
Shall  Anarchy  blight  Chili's  glittering  plains? 


81 


Oil*  never!  Hope  whispers  the  world  shall  be  frees 

And  man  but  to  Deity  bend  the  proud  knee. 

Independence  upraising  a  bright  starry  sign, 

Bade  America  first  realize  the  design: 

Her  patriots  rallied  in  that  holy  light 

Aid  triumphed  o'er  pride  and  imperial  might 

May  personal  views  yield  to  general  zeal, 

A««d  social  forever  o'er  self-love  prevail. 

Ye  scions  of  heroes!  Columbia's  youth, 

May  ye  e'er  prove  chivalric  in  honour  and  truth 

But  say>  Carolina,  why  droops  thy  fair  head? 
Against  thy  free  bosom  what  arrow  is  sped? 
May  we  not  to  antagonist  elements  trace 
TIm1  olouri  that  impends  o'er  thy  once  smiling  facer 
Ah,  true,  for  a  river  god,  fickle  as  chance, 
Now  rises  to  greet,  now  repels  thy  advance. 
The  steam-boats,  those  idols  of  enterprize  luring, 
A  while  to  forsake  for  his  bosom  their  mooring 
Then  recreant  shrinks  from  those  fire-nymphs  far, 
N  >r  iails  the  fair  aspect  of  commerce  to  mar. 
Vet  cheered  be  the  South!  for  a  power  is  near 
That  shall  brighten  her  prospects  and  banish  each 

fear — 


$2 

Obsequious  to  genius,  see  rail-ways  arise, 

And  trade  each  frail  impulse  forever  defies. 

How  rapidly  now  comes  the  snowy  fleece  down, 

As  swiftly  as  flakes  from  the  sable  clouds  thrown^ 

And  shall  it  not  be  like  the  bounty  oT  Heaven, 

Diffused  over  earth  and  to  distant  shores  given? 

Now  murmuring  sounds  reach  the  listening  ear, 

Enjoining  to  cherish  the  precious  gift  here; 

JNor  let  foreign  pastures  or  looms  ever  yield 

Those  textures  that  patriot  forms  are  to  shield. 

A  truce  to  the  Tariff — success  to  each  State, 

Whether  triumph  await  it  or  final  defeat. 

Ye  Statesmen!  the  question  to  you  I  now  leave, 

For  the  head  that's  wooV-gath'ring  no  verses  can  weave 

A  word  on  canalling:  the  poet  has  said 

How  Neptune  o'er  woodland  hills  sparkled  andstray'd 

Ah,  dim-sighted  mortals!  your  boldest  designs 

Betray  want  of  prescience  in  all  human  minds, 

For  often  made  captive  and  chained  by  the  frost,, 

His  trident  is  ceded,  his  tribute  is  lost! 

And  now,  gen'rous  patrons,  the  muse  must  forbear 
From  loftier  themes  in  my  cause  to  appear. 
Awhile  place  yourselves  in  the  Carrier's  stead,, 


And  you  cannot  deny  him  his  annual  meed. 
Compell'd  to  monotonous  movements  each  night, 
J$>?  team-horse  was  e'er  in  more  sorrowful  plight 
Winter  breezes  assailing  his  shivering  form, 
Summer  planets  more  merciless  yet  than  the  storm 
In  spirits  subdued  and  in  senses  oppress'd, 
Of  such  an  existence,  oh!  what  is  the  zest? 
Yet  Mem'ry  and  Hope  both  forbid  to  despair, 
And  promise  a  Boon  for  the  First  of  the  Year. 


ENIGMA. 

We  are  children  of  Light,  and  were  sent  by  the  Lord, 
In  pledge  to  mankind  of  Divine  Love  restored 
Descending  from  Heaven  we  seemed  but  as  one, 
And  pure  as  the  Vestals  that  worship  the  Sun. 
But  touching  the  &arth,  what  a  marvellous  change1 
Each  left  his  companion  and  sought  a  new  range. 
One  addled  by  modesty  mutely  betrayed, 
The  latent  impression  Love's  arrows  had  made. 
Another  is  found  in  the  Violet's  cup, 
Baptized  by  the  spring  in  a  chrystal  dew  drop. 
We  brighten  the  leaflet,  the  lip,  and  the  eye, 
We  traverse  the  ether,  and  glow  in  the  sky. 
Deserted  by  us,  Art  and  Beauty  would  languish, 
But  we're  chased  frum  the  presence  of  Terror  and  An- 
guish. 

We  live  in  the  blossoms,  and  lurk  in  the  showers, 
And  darkness  alone  cau  destroy  our  powers 


85 


THE   PENITENT  COQUETTE. 

I  love  thee  mere  as  thou  art  now 
The  victim  of  a  broken  vow, 
Than  in  that  hour  of  past  sunshine 
When  fancy  wildly  thought  thee  mine 
But  feeling  then  was  falsified 
By  vanity  and  youthful  pride, 
Until  I  found  my  dream  of  power 
The  glittering  phantom  of  an  hour. 

I  may  not  think  how  light  the  chain 
Thy  fleeting  steps  could  not  detain; 
My  quivering  lyre  could  never  dwell 
Upon  that  fatal  word  farewell! 

Too  tender  to  remain  unmoved 
Another  was  by  thee  beloved; 
And  Hope,  a  smiling  bright  envoy, 
Brought  from  the  promised  land  of  Joy 

8 


86 


Her  clustering  fruitage,  whose  sweet  taste 
The  memory  of  woe  effaced. 
Alas!  I  feared  Love's  new  decoy, 
Would  mock  thy  lip,  thy  peace  destroy. 

I  saw  the  serpent  'neath  the  rose 
JBeguile  thee  into  false  repose; 
Tho'  every  feeling  took  alarm 
I  dared  not  shew  the  latent  harm. 
Thou  would'st  have  chid  me  that  unsought 
Affection's  warning  I  had  brought, 
And  deemed  perhaps  a  rival's  fears, 
Alone  perceived  those  lurking  snares 

Oh  God!  I  saw  thy  melting  eye 
Flash  out  in  madness  fearfully; 
The  ruin  perfidy  had  wrought 
Was  traceable  in  mien  and  thought. 
Then  came  that  stagnant  sadness  dread, 
That  mutely  mourns  when  Frenzy's  fled 
The  chords  of  sympathy  seemed  crushed 
And  all  Life's  harmonies  were  hushed 

With  tears  aid  penetintial  balm 


S7 


i  sought  thy  wounded  soul  to  calm. 
But  in  the  wreck  of  passion's  storm, 
Thy  nind  conceived  each  gentle  form 
Th'  embodied  principle  of  guile, 
That  blasted  with  its  baneful  smile. 

And  I  was  spurned — yet  undismayed 
The  task  of  soothing  still  essayed; 
Reluctantly  didst  thou  confess 
Tho  sorcery  of  tenderness,  . 
Yet  have  I  ransomed  from  despair 
The  noblest  heart  in  Nature's  sphere. 


88 


THE  SEASONS. 

WINTER. 

1  catch  from  the  azure  veined  sky 
Its  diamond  droplets  of  dew, 
In  fetters  of  frost-work  they  lie, 
None  but  fiery  sylphs  may  subdue. 
And  yet  I  am  loved  for  that  shrine, 
Round  which  sport  the  Genii  of  mirth 
Enkindling  that  sparkle  divine 
That  burns  in  the  bosom  of  Earth. 

SPRING. 
My  first-born  retaining  thy  spell, 
Seems  a  snow-sprite  transformed  to  a  flower. 
The  slight  verdure  that  tinges  its  bell, 
Scarce  proclaims  it  a  child  of  the  bower. 
Yet  dearer  that  vestal  of  Flora, 
Than  rosier  brides  of  the  light, 
For  it  comes  like  a  seraph-restorer 
Of  beautiful  forms  from  the  blight 


89 

SUMMER. 
There  is  music  in  Nature's  appealings, 
For  creatures  of  sensitive  mould, 
There  is  beauty  in  all  her  revealings, 
By  my  sanguine  spirit  controlled. 
The  amethyst  gems  of  the  vine 
Unfold  at  my  bidding  their  treasure, 
With  myrtles  of  Love  to  entwine, 
And  form  the  tiara  of  Pleasure. 

AUTUMN. 
Alas!  joyous  Sister  that  I 
Death's  emblem  alone  should  advance, 
Before  me  thou'it  destined  to  fly 
For  mine  is  a  withering  glance. 
The  Nightingale  flies  the  lorn  stem, 
The  Rose  is  in  odorous  dust, 
I've  broken  thy  bright  diadem, 
Its  fragments  are  whirled  in  the  gust, 


3* 


90 


THE   PROGRESS  OF  POETRY. 

High  on  the  rock  of  Ages  Fancy  stands, 
A  kindling  lyre  trembles  in  her  hands. 
Her  eye  like  Ocean,  restless,  blue,  and  wild, 
Seeks  springs  of  inspiration  undefined. 
She  strikes!  and  Echo  rushing  from  his  cave, 
In  sonorous  eddies  cleaves  th'  aerial  wave. 
Sing!  great  magician  of  the  spell-bound  soul, 
Thy  own  enchantments  and  their  vast  control. 
Of  lisping  strains  in  artless  youth  begun, 
The  virgin  laurel  Minstrelsy  first  won, 
When  sympathetic  sounds  in  union  grand, 
Join'd  Hope  with  Mem'ry  in  a  metric  band. 
When  rebel  passions  like  the  Titans  broke 
From  their  strong  necks  immortal  Virtue's  yoke, 
To  hurl  the  clamorous  monsters  to  the  earth 
Invention  struck  her  brain,  and  Art  had  birth. 
Art  that  like  Wisdom's  sire  rose  to  slay  . 
Unshielded,  spearless,  void  of  War's  array, 


91 


Leaping  from  pastoral  vales  to  Thalia's  height, 

In  comic  feats  he  proved  his  moral  might; 

And  next  with  tragic  energy  essayed 

To  rescue  Truth  from  Fiction's  mazy  shade. 

But  first  woke  Music  from  her  shelly  couch, 

Who  made  creation  vocal  by  her  touch. 

And  Painting  from  her  canvass  bed  he  drew 

To  give  the  scenic  landscape  Nature's  hue. 

With  these  enlinked  he  traversed  human  walks 

Where  every  Vice  a  proud  Goliath  stalks. 

Factitious  strokes  Ambition's  helmet  felled, 

Pride  lost  his  plume,  and  Power's  rage  was  quelled. 

Sharp  Vengeance  slumbered  on  his  pointless  sword, 

And  Folly  roused,  resumed  creation's  lord. 

Ah!  wherefore  does  the  mimic  warfare  cease 

Within  thy  Thespian  temples  aged  Greece? 

Around  thy  classic  horizon  what  gloom 

Converts  Fame's  cradle  to  lost  Freedom's  tomb  ? 

A  gothic  spirit  darkens  all  thine  isles, 

The  Helot's  mantle  thy  proud  race  defiles. 

And  generous  arts  from  Attic  shores  were  driv'n 

When  Ali's  crescent  first  usurped  thy  Heav'n. 

To  Alpine  heights  the  orphaned  Muses  fled, 

Sublime  as  Prophecy  on  Horeb's  head, 


9^ 


Their  threat'ning  voices  rose  to  warn  the  bold 
'Gainst  syren  pleasure;  in  whose  silken  fold 
The  serpent  Slavery  couched  its  venomed  sting 
To  poison  Man's  most  precious  bosom-spring. 
In  vain!  tho'  Satire  thundered  from  the  stage 
To  strike  and  purify  an  erring  age, 
Before  soft  ease  Rome's  thousand  glories  fell, 
Nor  Freedom  there,  nor  Science  deigns  to  dwell. 
They  paused  for  Ages— then  pursued  their  flight 
And  lent  to  Avon's  cygnet  plumes  of  light. 
Andlo!  they  come  to  brighten  Western  scenes. 
And  freemen  bend  to  histrionic  Queens. 
Their  mighty  engines  move  the  sullied  soul 
*Vjth  gentle  force  towards  perfection's  goal. 


93 


THE   CHARMED  SERPENT. 

"The  Indian  Jugglers  have  the  art  of  luring  snakes 
from  their  lurking  places  by  playing  upon  a  pipe  at  the 
sound  of  which  they  make  a  sort  of  undulatory  motion 
resembling  dancing. " 

What  shriek  is  that  the  echoes  send  to  Heaven? 

Was  it  in  madness  or  in  mockery  given? 

Alas!  not  vainly  silence  wakens  now, 

Death  seeks  a  victim  in  the  vale  below, 

See!  where  forlorn  of  hope  yon  traveller  stands 

With  aspen  lips,  fixed  eyes,  and  cold,  clasped  hands; 

The  sward's  portentous  motion  shews  the  harm 

That  e'n  in  valor's  breast  might  strike  alarm. 

Uncoiling  with  slow  malice  rings  of  gold, 

A  serpent's  chequered  length  on  earth  is  roll'd. 

Oh!  for  that  mitred  one  of  Israel's  host 

Beneath  whose  snaky  wand  perish'd  the  Magi's  boast: 

Or  for  that  cradled  giant's  arm  of  power 


94 


That  crushed  twin  reptiles  in  life's  primal  hour. 
IS  or  Hebrew's  art,  nor  Heathen's  grasp  I  vaunt, 
What  then  shall  chase  that  ruin  from  man's  haunt: 
Blest  chance!  the  Indian's  serpent-spell  remains. 
Perhaps  attracted  by  my  pipe's  rude  strains, 
The  foe  its  fated  prey  may  yet  forego, 
And  sinuous  seek  the  source  from  whence  the  flow. 
Aid  me,  thou  Royal. Minstrel,  whose  sweet  thrall, 
Subdued  dark  spirits  in  the  breast  of  Saul. 
Or  thou  whose  plaintive  harpings  could  reclaim 
From  ebon  shades  thy  love — or  forest  tame. 
That  wanderer  redeemed,  I  dare  thy  wrath, 
Thou  creeping  mischief  in  the  pilgrim's  path. 
He's  saved!  for  ravished  by  enchanting  sound, 
The  dread  destroyer  now  forgets  to  wound. 
Slides  the  soothed  monster  in  th'  harmonious  snare, 
While  the  charmed  man,  starting  from  deep  despair, 
Bounds  with  electric  swiftness  thro'  the  vale, 
Nor  pauses  till  within  his  well  known  pale. 


95 


ON  THE  DEATH  OF   A  FRIEND,  > 

Who,  with  her  two  Children,  perishediu  the  Edwina. 

A  liquid  firmament  the  ocean  seemed, 

A  placid  glory  o'er  its  waters  gleamed,  i 

When  buoyant  late  the  lost  Edwina  past, 

Proudly  careering  o'er  the  crystal  waste. 

No  wailing  zephyr,  no  aerial  sprite 

Whispered  dark  bodings  of  approaching  blight, 

Blithely  she  sped,  and  spirits  firm  and  frail, 

Sanguine  within  her  c6vert  woo'd  the  gale, 

But  e'en  from  the  pavillion  of  the  sun, 

The  storm  unheralded  came  howling  on, 

Radiant  in  wrathful  majesty  awhile, 

The  tempest  masked  its  frown  but  to  beguile, 

Stirred  by  the  trumpet  breezes,  myriad  waves 

In  foamy  coronets  forsook  their  caves. 

Rushed  like  banditti  on  the  reeling  barque 

And  dashed  the  trembling  pilgrims  from  their  ark. 

From  one  of  these  let  Friendship  lift  the  pall, 

And  Virtue's  offspring  from  oblivion  call. 


96 

For  though  no  marble  orator  proclaims 
Her  love  devotional  and  lofty  aims, 
The  heart's  inscription  ne'er  can  be  effaced 
On  which  her  moral  image  has  been  traced. 
The  gentle  guardian  of  domestic  bliss, 
Twashers  to  press  the  ruffled  plume  of  peace — 
Enchanting  by  her  mien  and  manners  bland, 
In  duty's  sphere  she  waved  a  magic  wand. 
Subdued  ambition  sought  no  loud  acclaim, 
Her  partner's  plaudit  was  her  highest  fame, 
Alas!  for  him  whose  bosom  feels  the  shaft 
Deeper  as  mem'ry  doth  her  worth  ingraft 
The  wild  disorder  of  his  wandering  glance, 
Seeks  her  incredulous  of  Fate's  romance. 
Three  broken  chords  life's  harmony  destroy 
The  triple  source  of  transitory  joy: 
Their  rifled  bloom  impatient  to  restore 
His  idols  to  the  shrine  of  health  he  bore. 
But  Death  impetuous  forestalled  decay 
And  Hope  long  cherished  lost  that  lingering  ray 
Oh!  balmy  piety  thy  barrier  rear, 
Nor  let  deep  Sorrow  darken  to  despair. 
Thy  power  shall  lift  his  thoughts  to  purer  sphere* 
And  fervid  faith  exhale  the  mourner's  tears. 


•  or 


STANZA  S. 

Oh!  hide  those  eyes  of  violet  hue, 
Wild  passion  they  inspire; 
They  beam  too  fiercely  to  be  blue, 
Their  dew  is  lost  in  fire. 

Yet  in  thine  heart  eternal  snow 
The  torch  of  Love  destroys; 
Long  have  I  felt  affection's  woe, 
But  never  felt  its  joys. 

I  saw  thee  cull  a  lovely  rose 

And  place  it  near  thy  heart; 

I  knew  its  languid  leaves  would  close. 

Its  fragrance  would  depart. 

In  sorrow  I  beheld  the  flower 

On  thy  cold  bosom  lie; 

I  knew  t'would  languish  there  an  hour, 

I  knew  it  then  would  die' 


98 


I  traced  my  doom  reflected  here; 
My  "bloom  is  fading  fast; 
I  live  but  in  thy  beauty's  glare; 
I'll  die  in  it  at  last? 


99 


PRANCE, 

AFTER  THE  BANISHMENT  OF  NAPOLEON. 

Alas!  for  the  country  whence  Freedom  is  banished, 
Where  Tyranny's  banner  floats  darkly  on  high; 
From  whose  fields  the  bright  verdure  of  plenty  has 
vanished, 

And  whose  red  soil  bears  traces  that  carnage  was  nigh. 

Such  was  thine,  hapless  Gallia!  and  yet  a  bright  ray 
From  the  halo  of  Glory  transpierced  that  thick  gloom; 
For  thy  Tyrant  was  brave  though  oppressive  his  sway, 
And  the  nation's  sunk  splendor  he  sought  to  relume 

Oh!  glance  from  the  Throne  to  that  rock  in  the  Ocean; 
Its  aspect  is  rugged  and  wild  as  despair; 
And  the  waves  all  around  it  reflect  the  commotion, 
Of  the  life  of  that  proud  One  in  duress  held  there, 

Weep  on,  sons  of  France!  to  that  eyrie  forever, 


100 

Thy  Eagle's  condemned  to  restrict  his  bold  flight; 

As  well  might  ye  hope  that  firm  rock  to  dissever, 

\s  that  Mercy  and  Power  shall  reach  the  same  height. 

Farewell  to  thee,  Hermit  of  Helena's  steep! 
A  track  of  thy  lustre  still  gilds  thy  last  sphere; 
Though  Frenchmen  now  yield  to  inglorious  sleep, 
They  will  start  when  they  dream  of  thy  brilliant  career. 


101 


THE   VICTIM   OF  LOVE. 

A  funeral  chant,  and  a  festal  song; 
What  means  the  mingled  measure? 
To  whom  does  the  plaintive  strain  belong 
And  whose  the  peaifl  of  pleasure? 

A  bier  is  passing  a  bridal  train, 
Betrayer!  dost  thou  shrink 
To  meet  thy  victim  thus  again 
In  Death's  eternal  link? 

Coward!  who  could  inflict  a  wound 
More  deadly  far  and  deep; 
Art  blanched  to  see  thai  gash  unbound 
That  caused  the  sufferer's  sleep? 

Aye!  look  upon  the  self  destroyed, 
For  by  that  mournful  token 
Thou'lt  feel  how  pure,  how  unalloyed, 
The  Love  of  the  heart  broken. 

.--9* 


102 

Requiem  and  revel  thus  combined, 
Torture  thy  memory  ever! 
Cypress  and  Roses  closely  twined, 
Forsake  thy  fancy  never! 


103 


THE   EAGLE   AND    THE  DOVE. 

ul  shall  not  ask  Jean  Jaques  Rousseau, 
Whether  birds  confabulate  or  no." 

EAGLE . 

Stay,  timid  nestler!  lift  thy  dazzled  eye 
And  mark  tke  sunbow  glories  of  yon  sky. 
See!  where  the  Day  gathering  his  purple  robes 
Turns  in  his  golden  chariot  to  new  globes. 
The  glacier  touched  and  tinted  by  his  ray 
Like  some  pale  virgin  blushing  melts  away, 
Earth  in  his  absence  lifts  her  flowery  cups 
To  catch  from  dew  stars  their  bewailing  drops. 
All  nature  wears  the  weeds  of  widowed  sorrow 
Nor  smiles  till  light  like  hope,  relumes  the  morrow 
My  wing  is  seen  waved  in  his  fiercest  ray, 
Proudly  I  bear  the  title  Bird  of  Day. 
But  thou  art  coldly  turning  from  his  track, 
l^o  win  some  shady  grove  thou'rt  hastening  back, 


104 


DOVE. 

To  humbler  fame  and  flight  let  me  aspire 

t  dare  not  venture  near  his  throne  of  fire. 

I  love  the  dawn,  the  twilight,  and  the  hour 

When  moonlight  softly  breaks  through  trellissedbow 

Mine  is  the  vigil  that  affection  keeps 

Near  downy  beds  where  tender  nurseling  sleeps. 

The  callow  trembler  too  I  love  to  guide 

In  brief  excursions  through  the  aerial  tide. 

Teach  it  the  simple  structure  of  a  home, 

Warn  it  from  flight  where  ravening, vultures  roam, 

Lead  it  where  aliment  is  best  supplied — 

In  tasks  like  these  my  placid  life  doth  glide. 

I  too  rejoice  in  the  soft  name  of  Dove 

The  bird  of  beauty  and  the  type  of  Love. 

Thus  man,  creation's  noblest,  braves  the  sun, 

In  glory's  sphere  his  brilliant  race  is  run. 

On  field  or  ocean  on  the  flashing  fight 

His  unblenched  gaze  fastens  with  stern  delight. 

Peril  his  bride,  Protection  his  first  "vow, 

His  soul  exults  in  a  perennial  glow, 

While  gentleness  retreats  to  some  lone  shade, 

In  tenderness  her  triumph  is  displayed. 


105 


To  watch  the  babe  with  moistened  lips  apart 
Smiling  in  sleep  to  be  so  near  her  heart. 
Instruct  its  lisping  tongne  with  infant  steps 
Its  God,  its  Father,  to  adore  and  bless! 
Moulding  its  waxen  mind  in  virtue's  cast, 
Ushering  the  youth  into  the  world  at  last. 

The  War  Staff  on  its  height  an  Eagle  bears, 
In  Peace  the  Dove  with  typic  leaf  appears 


106 


t0   MY  jEOIiIAN  HARP, 

111  the  Strings  of  which  had  snapped  except  one. 

Thou  wert  like  Youth's  sweet  dawn 
Full  of  harmonious  breathings; 
Thy  plaintive  peers  are  gone 
There's  cypress  in  thy  wreathings 

One  Silver  chord  alone  remains 
To  woo  the  summer  gale; 
Like  Mope  the  stricken  heart  retains 
When  feebler  passions  fail. 

•A  Zephyr  to  the  rose  buds  flying 
>Vakes  in  thy  lonely  string, 
A  tone  like  memory  sighing 
O'er  many  a  vanished  thing. 

The  spirit  of  the  Storm  sweeps  by 


107 

And  shakes  thee  in  his  ire, 

Like  mortal  plaint  'gainst  destiny 

Then  wails  thy  sullen  wire. 


108 


LINES 

WRITTEN  IN  A  FRIEND'S  ALBUM. 

There  is  a  Lyre  a  Seraph's  hand  may  smite, 
So  pure  the  strains  in  which  its  chords  delight. 
A  Cowper's  Genius  once  controlled  its  strings., 
With  Mary's  name  its  lingering  echo  rings. 
Intrepid  Muse!  that  shall  its  slumbers  rouse. 
To  breathe  at  Friendship's  shrine  melodious  vov 
Yet  in  that  chastened  Spirit  will  I  sing, 
Tho'  Fame  no  incense  o'er  my  verse  shall  fling. 
Maiden!  let  Bards  inspired  by  Beauty's  son, 
Tell  thee  thine  eyes  have  nobler  conquests  won 
Than  all  the  dread  Artillery  of  Ma>s; 
Let  these  rehearse  the  tale  of  Cupid's  wars. 
Nor  will  I  bring  the  Rose  of  Cashmere's  vale. 
Or  silver  lily  from  sequestered  dale, 
In  strange  similitude  to  cheek  and  brow. 
Such  moral  blossoms  shall  the  Minstrel  strew, 
As  Virtue  plants  and  Truth  portrays  in  you. 


109 


Here  purity  has  found  a  taintless  shrine. 
And  Modesty  unfolds  her  tints  divine, 
Here  Meekness  emulous  of  Heav'n's  elect, 
Holds  native, pride  by  pious  feeling  check'd 
Another  stamp  of  excellence  confest, 
Is  candor  on  thy  guileless  soul  imprest, 
Pure,  Modest,  Meek,  Ingenuous,  Refined, 
Thou  wer't  for  Love  and  social  bliss  designed. 
Those  twin-born  ministers  of  mortal  joy, 
Shall  fill  thy  cup  and  free  it  from  alloy. 
No  raving  Sybil  doth  thy  lot  reveal, 
Affection  prophecies  what  Fate  shall  seal 


I® 


110 


TO  SADNESS. 


Mysterious  Monarch  of  the  human  soul! 
"Who  can  define  the  bound  of  thy  control  r 
In  vassalage  to  thee  imperial  Queen 
Bend  frail  and  firm,  the  savage  and  serene 
Thy  sable  wing  is  seen  alike  to  hover, 
O'er  Fancy's  terrace,  and  o'er  Reason's  tower/ 
Darkening  the  forms  of  majesty  or  grace, 
These  various  powers  may  delight  to  trace. 
In  Pleasure's  track  we  find  thy  frequent  print, 
And  Beauty's  brow  tenacious  of  thy  tint, 
3Mid  all  its  bright  revealings  will  betray, 
Thy  shadow  stealing  oft  o'er  rapture's  ray. 
Unbidden  at  the  banquet  thouTt  dismiss 
Each  sparkling  bubble  from  the  bowl  of  bliss. 
In  vain  may  Youth  to  dance  and  song  be  woo'd. 
Touch  but  a  chord  in  Memory's  solitude, 
And  all  the  magic  of  the  Minstrel's  art, 
Shall  fail  to  chase  its  echoes  from  the  heart 


Ill 


it  is  thy  spirit  that  with  serpent  wile 
Would  in  Love's  Eden  every  flower  defile. 
Yet  mirth  at  best  is  treacherously  bright 
And  mocks  the  senses  with  its  meteor  light. 
Fain  would  the  pensive  muse  its  beam  evade, 
And  languid  rest  within  thy  sombre  shade. 
Twining  a  wreath  of  thorns  around  my  lyre, 
Sadness,  thou  shalt  fore'er  its  chords  inspire. 


112 


ON  SEEING  BARRY  CORNWALL'S. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    A    BROKEN    HEARTED  GIRL, 

Ves!  it  must  be!  martyr  of  latent  Love 
That  bitter  lesson  woman's  heart  must  prove, 
That  unclaimed  fondness  must  corrode  her  breast 
fjre  the  deep  pang  of  passion  be  confest. 
Flowers  there  are  that  never  caught  a  ray 
Of  genial  ardor  from  the  God  of  Day! 
But  from  whose  languid  lips  a  cold,  cold,  dew 
Distils  away  their  odour  and  their  hue. 

So  fades  Love's  blossom  in  the  moral  soil 
When  stern  indifPrence  bids  sweet  Hope  recoil. 
Nor  dissipate  with  sunny  smiles  the  tear, 
That  hangs  upon  the  cheek  of  pale  despair. 

Alas!  my  own  heart  echoes  thy  sad  song, 

•'I  loved  tkee  well,"  vibrates  there  loud  and  long: 

And  I  like  thee  will  die — but  not  unwept 


113 


The  tenderness  that  in  his  life  hath  slept, 
Regret  will  waken  when  some  future  hour 
Reveals  beneath  his  tread  a  withered  flower; 
That  sought  no  light  but  what  his  eye  might  give, 
Yet  wanting  ihaty  surceased  to  bloom  and  live. 


114 


THE   FLIGHT   OF   THE  MUSES. 

Touched  by  the  Sun,  the  Harp  of  Memnon  swells 
In  wind-swept  reeds  the  soul  of  Music  dwells. 
But  when  proud  Genius  grasps  the  metric  wires. 
What  glowing  beam,  what  genial  breath  inspires? 
Chaste  Fancy!  while  thy  light  engilds  his  strings 
Thy  blast  Renown  the  quivering  welkin  rings. 
Star  of  the  minstrel!  now  direct  my  song, 
Break  the  thick  cloud  of  memory — while  along 
The  frozen  track  of  parted  time  I  stray, 
To  hear  again  dark  Mneon's  magic  lay. 
O'er  broken  Statues,  blasted  wreaths  I  tread, 
In  these  pale  types  his  native  Greece  is  road. 
The  weeping  vestals  of  her  Classic  rock, 
With  withered  bays  their  sleeping  Lyres  mock 
Art's  palsied  fingers  idly  press  the  stone, 
Herself  a  Niobe  from  ceaseless  moan. 
The  thirsty  canvass  pants  for  that  pure  dew, 
WThich  infant  Painting  from  an  Ins  drew. 
No  car-borne  Thespis  'neath  his  ruddy  mask, 
Reclaims  Corruption  by  the  comic  task 


115 


The  Histrionic  twins  forsake  his  stage, 

And  Life's  Dramatic  Scenes  their  powers  engag 

Pity  for  Freedom  mourns,  while  Terror  stalks, 

Through  Delphic  groves,  and  Philosophic  walks. 

The  snow  that  hangs  upon  Italians  brow, 

Nor  melts  in  Titan's  strong  meridian  glow, 

The  moral  image  of  her  sons  reveals, 

Whose  high  born  souls  a  rigid  coldness  seals; 

Though  recollection  darts  a  thousand  rays, 

From  Glory  catfght  in  Mnro's  golden  days. 

No  Lyric  strains  the  listening  echoes  catch, 

No  Genii  there  Poetk  (§*es  watch. 

Alike  the  smiling  and  the  sorrowing  Muse, 

By  ruin  touched  their  Latian  Temples  los"e 

Woe!  to  the  climes  omnipotent  in  Art, 

Lost  arc  their'  Laurels — lost  their  moral  chart. 

The  Muses  banned  from  native  rocks  and  seas, 

With  mellow  harpings  fill  each  mountain  breeze 

Whcrc  float  thy  banners,  where  thy  eagles  fly. 

Spirit  of  life,  star-crested  Liberty ! 

Though  no*  Corinthian  crowns  our  structures  crest 

Here  let  the  Syren  pilgrims  ever  rest, 

To  rifle  Time  of  all  his  ringlets  gray, 

And  make.his  winter  smile  like  Eden's  May 


116 


POETIC  PENDANT  TO  AN  ENGRAVING 

Representing  a  Lady  weeping  over  la  Vase  of  Fading 
Flowers. 

Sigh  not  thaUhe  Rose's  tints  grow  pale, 
Fresh  buds  will  come  with  the  vernal  gale; 
Shed  pity's  dew  for  the  faded  cheek, 
"Whose  snow  no  flower  of  health  may  break. 
Let  tear  drops  fall  for  the  truth  I  sing, 
The  Seasons  of  Life  have  no  second  Spring. 

Why  weep  that  in  Winter  the  violet  dies? 
Lids  of  snow  close  in  death  o'er  the  brightest  blue  eyes. 
And  why  waste  thy  sorrow  on  Hearts-ease  of  Earth? 
Weep  for  that  which  when  lost  can  ne'er  have  second 
birth. 

Grieve  not  that  the  Lily  will  bend  to  the  gust, 
And  its  broken  stem  bring  its  pure  petals  to  dust; 
Let  woe-stricken  Age  all  thy  sympathy  wake, 


117 


When  some  ruffian  relentless  its  prop  doth  break; 
Weep  tor  silver  hairs  that  decline  to  the  tomb, 
When  the  verdure  of  Innocence  loses  its  bloom. 

But  anguish  will  steal  Beauty's  blossom  away, 
And  thy  own  passing  loveliness  thus  will  decay 
Remember  Love's  cradle  in  dimples  we  seek, 
And  his  sepulchre  find  in  the  furrowed  cheek. 
Then  weep  not  for  Violets,  Lilies  or  Roses, 
Nor  yet  for  the  truth  that  the  minstrel  discloses; 
But  leave  "Fading  Flowers"  and  turn  to  those  hues, 
Whose  vivid  enchantments  Time  never  renews. 


118 


ON  HEARING  A  FRIEND  COMPLAIN 

OF   BEJNG  ROBBED   OF  HIS  BCST  COAT. 

Let  others  elegize  an  only  child, 
To  such  a  loss  by  time  we're  reconciled. 
But  who  can  see  an  only  coat  depart, 
A  faultless  specimen  of  fashion's  art, 
Bright,  blue  and  beautiful  as  any  eyes, 
That  e'er  .elicited  a  lover's  sighs, 
And  not  in  sorrow's  transport  turn  ascetic, 
Or  thus  record  his  woe  in  rhymes  pathetic ? 
Oh!  had  it  been  the  victim  of  decay, 
And  vanished  in  the  ordinary  w7yy, 
Had  spolted-fe\ev  been  its  fleecy  bane, 
In  fuller's  earth  it  undeplored  had  lain, 
With  stoic  firmness,  I  had  met  my  fate, 
Nor  sought  in  doggerel  grief  to  dissipate, 
But  unpolluted  by  a  single  stain, 
Without  a  tear  its  beauty  to'profane. 
Can  I  my  cherished  treasure  thus  resign, 


119 


When  my  whole  wardrobe  tends  to  a  decline, 

Oh!  rather  had  I  seen  my  favourite  dye, 

Than  in  its  soundest  nap  compelled  to  fly; 

Some  African  Apollo  to  array,  • 

Its  collar  rising  high  at  the  display: 

Fugitive  pieces  by  the  muses  mourned, 

Are  often  with  the  stamp  of  fame  returned, 

Such  barren  honors  fiction  e'er  be  thine, 

So  that  my  press  becomes  no  plunderer's  shrine, 

Behold  the  peg  on  which  my  late  coat  hung, 

No  more — affliction  fetters  pen  and  tongue 


120 


ON  .THE  DEATH  OF  LIEUT.  S.  H**** 

The  light  of  Glory  gilds  the  Harp  that  rings  a  Hero's 
name. 

And  lofty  Bards  delight  to  track  his  bright  career  of 
fame. 

3>iine  is  the  bitter  luxury,  melodious  woe  to  breathe, 
And  pour  the  Lyric  plaint  from  chords  no  classic  leaf 
may  wreathe. 

To  sing  of  One  whose  blazonry  was  found  on  Honor's 
field— 

Whose  heraldry  divinely  traced  a  spotless  heart  revealed: 
A  child  of  Song  and  Liberty — whose  mental  eye  ex- 
plored 

The  labyrinth  where  Science  lurked,  the  height  to  which 
she  soared — 

In  whom  the  brilliant  harmony  of  moral  strength  and 
grace, 

By  turns,  in  martial  transports  played,  or  passion's  mel- 
ting trace. 


121 


The  fountains  of  his  heart  ran  free  amid  Affection's 
bloom, 

And  every  feeling  had  imbibed  its  delicate  perfume. 
There  was  a  spell  in  every  tone  enchantment  undefined, 
'  To  which  Love's  purest  sympathies  were  passively  re- 
signed. 

They  touched  a  gentle  spirit  soon,  whose  semblance 

might  be  sought, 
In  Nature's  fairest  tints  and  forms,  most  exquisitely 

wrought. 

The  golden  clusters  of  her  hair,  waved  on  her  lofty  brow 
Like  infant  sunbeams  that  descend  to  sport  on  Alpine 
snow . 

Nor  was  she  prized  for  loveliness,  that  perishes  on  earth, 
He  felt  that  Beauty's  signet  there  had  stamped  superior 
worth. 

Oh!  who  that  mild  enthusiast  marked  in  every  varying 
mood — 

When  sterner  instincts  swelled  his  breast,  or  softer  ones 
subdued; 

Who  that  beheld  his  gallant  mien  or  heard  his  bold  com- 
mand, 

When  proudly  pledged  to  vindicate  the  Banner  of  his 
land; 

11 


122 


Dreamed  that  its  drooping  folds  ere  while,  should  man- 
tle o'er  his  bier, 

As  if  a  youthful  Seraph's  form  had  sought  a  starry 
sphere ! 

Farewell!  Farewell!  mysterious  fate  her  charter  will' 
enforce, 

And  kindred  bosoms  fondly  linked,  relentlessly  divorce. 
Still  is  the  mourner's  treasured  balm,  found  in  this 

truth  sublime, 
Virtue  shall  e'er  triumphant  soar,  above  Decay  and 

Time, 


123 


ON  READING    "NATURE'S  FAREWELL," 

BY  MRS.  HEMANS. 

A  Pilgrim  returned  to  his  "childhood's  home," 

From  the  "crowded  path  of  the  world"  he  had  come. 

Mysterious  changes  his-spirit  had  known 

And  mirth  had  now  lost  its  free,  innocent  tone. 

On  his  pale  brow  too  might  be  seen  the  mute  token 

How  joy  like  a  bubble  had  sparkled  and  broken! 

How  the  links  of  his  bosom-affections  were  riven 

Ere  he  turned  from  that  scene  to  repentance  and  Heav'n, 

But  the  sybil  leaves  that  had  whispered  him  there 

Prophetic  of  things  that  his  heart  should  sear, 

Like  the  verdure  of  Youth  had  they  passed  away, 

Like  Fancy  and  Feeling  their  foliage  decay  ? 

Ask  the  chartered  breeze  for  their  withered  remains, 

It  has  borne  them  far  from  their  native  plains. 

He  came  to  the  groves  where  the  wild  birds  were  sing- 
ing, 

But  how  could  he  list  while  Remembrance  was  ringing 


124 


The  knell  of  delights  that  were  born  in  those  bowers 
When  Hope's  melodies  rose  among  Purity's  flowers. 
The  warblers  had  perched  on  the  thorns  in  his  breast. 
And  his  heart  to  that  strain  now  no  echo  confest. 

He  turned  from  the  woods  to  the  oracle-streams, 
That  had  once  disenchanted  his  loveliest  dreams. 
But  their  waters  now  solaced  his  feverish  heart 
And  their  liquid  language  a  balm  did  impart. 
We  are  leaping  and  laughing  with  infantine  glee, 
^utwill  change  our  course  and  flow  on  to  the  sea. 
J'er  treasures  and  gems  we  will  carelessly  glide, 
Then  mingling  with  Ocean  and  lost  in  its  tide, 
Be  tremblingly  swayed  by  a  Heavenly  Guide. 
Jh,  beautiful  image!  Life's  currents  like  thine 
Run  sportively  on  from  their  natal  shrine. 
In  the  eddies  of  Passion  awhile  sink  or  swell, 
Nor  heed  the  rich  pearl,  in  the  mortal  shell, 
Till  meeting  Eternity's  waves  they  arise, 
And  attracted  by  Mercy  spring  up  to  the  skies 


125 


EPIGRAM. 

The  following  comic  incident  actually  occurred,  and  was 
thought  suitable  for  an  Epigram. 

And  am  I  no  longer  betrothed,  dear  mother? 
Oh  Cupid!  suppose  I  should  ne'er  get  another? 
And  must  I  return  his  perfumed  billet-doux, 
And  the  gold  heart,  that  loveliest  little  bijou  ? 

Weep  no  more,  dearest  daughter  for  such  a  deserter, 
I  protest  that  your  sorrows  exceed  those  of  Wertei '; 
And  deeply  it  grieves  me  your  feelings  to  shock 
But  he  must  be  made  to  surrender  your  lock. 

Oh!  would  that  were  all  of  my  delicate  task, 
To  resign  is  more  difficult  far  than  to  ask. 
For  indeed,  softly  whispered  the  yet  sobbing  girl^ 
My  own  hair  is  innocent — 'twas  a  false  curl! 


II* 


126 


TA?  Gentleman,  on  hearing  the  above,  returned  the  lock 
with  the  folloiving  couplet: 

How  false  the  foundation  on  which  both  have  built, 
If  your  hair  was  spurious — my  heart  was  gilt. 


127 


POETICAL.  ANALOGIES. 

Love's  a  dew-spangle,  a  dissolving  gem, 
Amid  the  blossoming  of  Beauty  found: 
Sparkling  awhile  upon  Youth's  verdant  stem, 
An  icicle  when  wintry  age  has  frowned. 

Friendship  a  silk-worm  simile  may  bear: 
Artful  the  vagrant  instinct  it  conceals, 
While  yet  enshrined  in  Fortune's  golden  sphe 
Till  chance  or  change  the  volatile  reveals. 

And,  Hope,  thy  symbol  is  that  peerless  star 
That  earliest  decks  the  drapery  of  night, 
Yet  lingering  waits  to  gild  Aurora's  car, 
Ere  sinks  its  lustre  in  eternal  light! 

Ambition  thou'rt  a  haughty  mendicant 
Soliciting  the  splendid  gifts  of  glory: 
The  world's  deep  homage  thy  fantastic  want, 
The  privilege  of  glittering  in  story, 


128 


Proud  Liberty,  thine  is  the  prophet's  spell 
In  the  dark  chambersof  the  blighted-soul, 
Thy  holy  breathings  can  alone  expel 
The  desolating  tyrant's  grim  control. 

And  Fame,  what  art  thou  but  the  Fireweed, 
That  sylvan  Phoenix  that  fro'm  dust  aspires; 
Thou  spring'st  from  ashes  when  the  spirit  freed. 
In  light  divine  contemns  its  mortal  fires-? 


129 


LELIA,   OR  LOVE'S  MARTYR. 

Pale  was  the  Bride,  as  Purity's  sweet  rose 

That  lay  on  Thought's  high  throne  in  soft  repose — - 

But  paler  far  that  rival  vestal's  cheek, 

Where  weeping  Pity  traced  wild  Passion's  wreck, 

Yet  lingering  graces  in  the  ruin  slept; 

Soft  touching  relics  by  the  storm  unswept. 

The  self-deriding  instinct  of  Despair 

Had  placed  a  crimson  blossom  in  her  hair: 

And  as  the  hectic  herald  of  Decay 

Within  the  sphere  of  smiles  insidious  lay, 

So  coiled  Corruption  in  that  ruby  cave, 

Seeking  its  banquet  still  at  Beauty's  grave. 

But,  oh!  what  thrilling  tones  the  vault  ascend, 

When  wreathing  wasted  arms  around  her  friend, 

Long  hoarded  feelings  to  her  lips  arise: 

"Yes!  let  my  heart's  strings  latest  harmonies, 

Though  broken  and  untuned  to  strains  of  joy 

Swell  out  to  wish  thee  bliss  without  alloy. 


130 


Yet  shrink  not  should  this  truth  thine  ear  assail, 

My  burial  shroud  shall  be  thy  bridal  veil. 

Twiri-born  with  thine  the  hope  that  now  has  perishv 

Behold  in  him  the  idol  both  have  cherished! 

Oh!  false  discretion — fatal  source  of  woe! 

That  when  the  fount  of  Confidence  would  flow, 

With  its  cold  breath  the  genial  stream  congealed 

And  left  the  worshipped  one  still  unievealed. 

Alas!  the  shame — that  he  alone  discerned 

The  lofty  quarry  to  which  Lelia  turned; 

And  strove  to  lure  with  gentle  artifice 

The  fluttering  falcon  to  the  perch  of  Peace. 

Ne'er  swerving  from  the  fond  allegiance  sworn, 

Yet  soothing  oft  the  sensitive  forlorn. 

I  knew,  I  knew  this  chord  would  wring  thy  soul, 

Yet  fain  must  press  it  ere  I  reached  my^goal." 

The  sufferer  ceased — and  soon  the  wailing  crowd, 

Saw  in  the  bridal  veil  her  burial  shroud. 

Her  faint  farewell  amid  its  folds  were  breathed, 

And  Love's  sweet  myrtles  thus  with  cypress  wrea*' 


131 


TO  PERSECUTED  FOREIGNERS. 

Fly  from  the  soil  whose  desolating  creed. 
Outraging  faith,  makes  human  victims  bleed. 
Welcome!- where  every  Muse  has  reared  a  shrine, 
The  aspect  of  wild  Freedom  to  refine. 

• 

Upon  our  Chieftain's  brow  no  crown  appears; 
No  gems  are  mingled  with  his  silver  hairs, 
Enough  that  Laurels  bloom  amid  its  snows, 
Enriched  with  these,  the  sage  all  else  foregoes. 

If  thou  art  one  of  that  oppressed  race, 
Whose  pilgrimage  from  Palestine  we  trace, 
Brave  the  Atlantic — Hope's  broad  anchor  weigh, 
A  Western  Sun  will  gild  your  future  day. 

Zeal  is  not  blind  in  this  ourtemp'rate  soil; 
She  has  no  scourge  to  make  the  soul  recoil. 
Her  darkness  vanished  when  our  stars  did  flash; 
Her  red  arm  grasped  by  Reason  dropt  the  lash, 


132: 


Our  Union,  Liberty  and  Peace  imparts, 
Stampt  on  our  standards,  graven  on  our  hearts, 
The  first,  from  crush'd  Ambition's  ruin  rose, 
The  last,  on  Victory's  field  spontaneous  grows. 

Rise,  then,  elastic  from  Oppression's  tread, 
Come  and  repose  on  Plenty's  flowery  bed. 
Oh!  not  as  Strangers  shall  your  welcome  be, 
Come  to  the  homes  and  bosoms  of  the  free' 


133 


THE   CELEBRATED  PEARL. 

A  drop  of  water  in  the  ocean  complained  of  its  insig- 
nificance: it  was  swallowed  by  an  oyster,  and  harden- 
ed into  the  celebrated  pearl  that  decks  the  Persian  dia- 
dem. 

A  single  drop  amid  the  boundless  main 
Once  fancied  the  solliloquizing  strain: — 
Why  was  I  but  a  petty  bubble  born 
Too  insignificant  for  love  or  scorn? 
Why  did  I  not  into  a  lake  expand, 
Or  boldly  like  a  bay  invade  the  land. 
A  giant's  tear — yet  on  creation's  face 
Seem  I  not  dwindled  to  the  pigmy  race : 
In  my  pellucid  globule  e'en  a  fly 
Fearless  of  drowning  might  serenely  lie. 
As  thus  the  water  drop  its  fate  deplores, 
A  gaping  oyster  in  its  cell  immures 
The  jealous  rebel,  who  with  fear  congealed 
12 


134 


Became  a  pearl  and  left  the  liquid  field. 
Exalted  to  the  brow  of  regal  pride, 
Ambitious  gem,  thou  art  to  pomp  allied. 
In  Nature's  pageant  tremulously  bright, 
Wert  thou  not  lovelier  than  at  grandeur's  height; 
Callous,  in  thy  conversion  thou  hast  lost 
Reflections  power,  once  thy  proudest  boast. 
The  Sun,  that  kindled  in  thy  crystal  sphere, 
Tints  that  with  the  diamond's  might  compare, 
Now  sees  thy  rayless  purity  obscured 
By  every  twinkler  in  the  glittering  horde 


135 


Joseph's  dream. 

The  Patriarch  bow^d  before  the  eastern  betfrn, 
Like  the  gray  herald  of  the  golden  day — 
Awhile  he  lingered  for  that  rising  light 
Whose  kindling  lustre  should  his  own  efface. 
But  the  prophetic  dreamer  slumbered  on: 
In  Glory's  bright  meridian  then  he  seemed. 
Celestial  orbs  their  glistening  spheres  forsook 
Meteors  flew  ministrant  to  his  commands, 
And  the  careering  planets  at  his  feet 
In  visionary  vassalage  appeared. 
Still  the  delusive  spell  his  sense  entranced., 
While  Israel's  orison  alone  arose 
Upon  the  odorous  breezes  of  the  morn. 
But.  the  mellifluous  tones  of  infancy 
Dissolved  the  deep  enchantment  of  repose. 
•'Brother,  my  cherished  lamb  has  bounded  far, 
And  broke  the  flowery  chain  that  Judah  twined: 
Wilt  thou  not  seek  the  fleecy  fugitive, 


136 

And  lure  the  truant  back  to  Benoni?" 

Forth  sprang  the  youth  with  fancied  power  elate, 

His  sire  saluted,  and  implored  to  solve 

The  mystic  import  of  the  dreamy  text. 

Indignant  he  in  those  bright  phantoms  saw 

Homage  reversed,  and  silver-haired  allegiance 

In  humble  suppliance  at  the  filial  shrine. 

As  if  the  sun  that  cherished  the  spring  flower 

Should  yield  the  incense  it  was  wont  t'  receive. 

Yet  soon  relapsing  into  tenderness, 

He  kissed  the  forehead  of  the  future  seer, 

And  in  his  rainbow-robe,  like  Mercy's  type, 

But  not,  alas!  a  covenant  of  peace, 

With  fatal  gladness  Joseph  fled  the  tent, 

To  seek  his  shepherd-brethren  on  the  plain. 


137 


CUPID'S   APPEAL  TO  APOLLO, 

CHIEF  OF  THE  ILLUMINATI. 

The  subjoined  effusion  was  written  for  a  lady  to  whom 
a  beautiful  copy  of  "Flora's  Dictionary"  had  been  pre- 
sented. 

Don't  laugh  at  my  penmanship  dearest  Hyperion, 
Of  my  skill  this  epistle's  a  sorry  criterion; 
But  my  quill  wanted  nibbing — so  what  should  I  do, 
But  for  lack  of  a  knife  took  the  tongue  of  a  shrew; 
Which  conferred  on  my  Godship  a  cut  so  severe, 
As  with  nought  but  the  wound  of  a  heart  may  compare. 
Let  this  with  my  blindness  the  billet  excuse, 
Then  don't  pause  to  criticise — only  peruse. 
And  let  Mercury,  mounted  on  wing-sped  Pegasus, 
This  extra  convey  to  the  press  of  Parnassus. 
Heretofore  it  had  been  the  vocation  of  eyes. 
Assisted  by  certain  auxiliary  sighs, 
To  interpret  the  mystical  language  of  Love, 
12* 


138 


As  my  archives  attest  in  the  Paphian  grove. 
But  a  volume  of  late  to  the  world  has  been  tender'd. 
Where  hearts  are  by  treaties  of  flowers  surrender'd 
And  this  verdant  type  now  preferred  in  translation, 
Supersedes  the  old  method  of  initiation. 
Against  this  revolution  the  senses  demur, 
And  a  suit  versus  Flora  to  Yenus  prefer: 
They  insist  'twas  the  scheme  of  a  withered  gallant, 
Who  first  made  a  druggerman  of  the  Ice  Plant. 
Solecisms  are  found  too  in  this  floral  speech, 
The  Golden  King  Cup  says  I  wish  1  was  rich. 
Coral  lips  by  the  cynic  are  called  hypocritical, 
Honey  Suckle,  that  all  know  to  be  parasitical, 
Professing  fidelity  clings  to  each  stranger 
That  offers  support  when  it  would  be  a  ranger. 
For  Ingratitude  too  what  an  emblem's  selected 
In  the  Rose  that  is  thornless  that  vice  is  detected. 
In  the  Elder,  Compassion  is  made  to  appear, 
We  grow  callous  by  age  in  Reality's  sphere. 
But  let  me  conclude  for  this  is  mere  carping, 
And  I  guess  by  that  twang  that  you  wish  to  be  harp 
Then  counsel  me  Archer  and  Lyrist  divine, 
Shall  the  spirit  of  fragrance  her  sceptre  resign? 
Or  visual  violets  still  reign  supreme, 


139 


And  roses  incarnate  yet  blush  in  my  beam? 

The  "language  d'  Amour"  now  waits  }Tour  revision. 

And  Cupid  will  bow  to  Apollo's  decision. 


140 


TO   THE  MEMORY  OF  MARY, 

THE   MOTHER  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Time  had  for  thee  the  Roman's  wish  achieved, 
Demanding  why  no  monument  retrieved 
From  dark  oblivion,  thy  illustrious  shade? 
Nobly  hath  Liberty  the  answer  made! 
Not  in  the  florid  text  of  venal  verse, 
The  mountain  muse  thy  merits  would  rehearse; 
Nor  lavish  incense  that  alike  perfumes 
The  shrine  immaculate  and  tarnish'd  tombs. 
The  soul  of  hist'ry  on  thy  tablet  lies, 
'Tis  immortality  in  simple  guise, 
And  patriot  pilgrims  shall  in  homage  kneel 
To  freedom's  scripture  on  that  marble  seal. 
The  world's  insolvent  for  that  peerless  gem, 
Which  paled  the  lustre  of  a  diadem. 
Maternal  purity  its  polish  wrought, 
Reflected  radiance  from  thy  breast  was  caught  - 
Rest  to  the  loftiest!  let  heraldric  pride 


141 

Its  sterile  grafts  before  such  scions  hide, 

The  land's  redeemer,  link'd  with  Mary's  name; 

Inglorious  union  shall  descend  to  Fame! 


I 


142 


THE  EAGLE  AND  THE  BIRD  OF  PARADIS^. 

A  Bird  of  Paradise  was  some  time  since  discovered 
in  a  garden  in  one  of  the  Northern  States.  The  poet 
supposes  it  to  be  addressed  by  the  American  Eagle. 

WJjy  stranger  bast  thou  left  the  spicy  gale 
Thy  tissue-plumage  on  our  fields  to -trail? 
A  Peri's  banner  first  thy  pinion  seemed, 
Emblazed  with  tints  from  Eden's  wreck  redeemed 
Say  beauteous  volatile — can  it  Then  be, 
That  thou  enamoured  too  of  Liberty, 
Would  for  her  perch  that  sweet  Aroma  shun, 
Whose  balm  is  purest  near  the  rising  Sun? 
Thrice  welcome  radiant  pilgrim  to  those  groves, 
Through  whicli  the  Monarch-biid  triumphant  roves! 
Ay,  linger  here — let  Orient  buds  expand 
For  some  colossal  trampler  of  the  land: 
Let  the  frail  blossoms  of  the  human  stem 
Yield  their  crushed  incense  'neath  a  diadem. 


143 


Here  Freedom's  sensitive  and  starry  flower 
Recedes  elastic  from  the  touch  of  power. 

Oh!  would  my  timid  wing  might  now  retrace. 
Its  erring  flight  back  to  my  natal  place. 
Thy  Sylvan  deities  my  sense  affright, 
Such  verdant  Titans  startle  sons  of  light. 
I  dare  not  gaze  upon  thy  dazzling  eye, 
And  form  dilating  into  majesty. 
If  independence  wears  an  aspect  bold, 
As  that  which  Nature's  image  doth  unfold, 
Where  the  Sun  cradles,  let  me  seek  my  nest 
Far  from  the  fearful  region  of  his  rest. 

Speed  then!  ignoble  trembler,  turn  and  speed 
Where  fragrance  mingles  with  the  moral  weed. 
Thy  dastard  spirit  shrinks  from  the  sublime, 
And  clings  degenerate  to  the  Despot's  clime. 
Away!  and  when  thy  beauty's  splendid  lure, 
Shall  tempt  the  sordid  reed  on  thy  loved  shore, 
Perhaps  thy  sad  expiring  thought  may  be 
Would  I  had  died  among  the  glorious  free! 


144 


THE  TEMPEST. 

In  darkness  past  the  fiend  of  storms — 

Rushed  from  their  caves  JEolian  forms, 

Rattling  their  mighty  wings  like  thunder, 

Rending  the  nitrous  clouds  asunder. 

Oceans  of  rain  oppress  the  earth, 

Or  swell  the  sources  of  their  birth. 

Disdainful  of  the  curbing  shore, 

Onward  the  foaming  waters  roar. 

Strong  barks  the  giant  waves  are  lashing, 

Now  heav'nward  tossed — now  downward  dashing, 

The  sinews  of  their  masts  unstrung, 

While  at  their  heads  the  death  note's  sung, 

By  birds  ne'er  vocal  till  the  hour 

Dark  omens  of  the  tempest  lour. 

Partners  in  mournful  fate  farewell! 

Ye  ruffian  winds  now  hoarsely  tell, 

To  orphans  and  the  wives  we  cherished 

How  'ceath  your  scourge  their  kindred  perished. 


145 


A  cry  went  up — the. sound  was  bushed 
As  o'er  the  wreck,  wild  waters  rushed. 

Fallen  in  their  pride  are  mighty  oaks, 
The  dwarf-tree  here  our  pathway  chokes :  - 
Relaxing  roofs  lose  their  cement 
The  shelter  of  the  dome  is  rent. 
The  timid  tenants  glance  to  heaven, 
Its  walls  by  aerial  wrath  ne'er  riven. 
Frown  as  the  elements  of  woe, 
Contending  deal  the  desolating  blow 

But  who  is  he  depressed  and  pale. 
As  lily  rifled  by  the  gale 
Of  all  its  precious  balms  and  bells  r 
Oft  ruin  thus  the  spirit  fells — 
Has  Fortune's  contrast  caused  despair, 
Like  that  unransomed  by  a  tear? 
Perhaps  remembrance  haunts  his  heart, 
With  thoughts  of  those  he  saw  depart, 
But  late  to  tempt  the  trackless  main — 
Thus  deep  is  sympathetic  pain? 
Oh  blind!  see  human  blossoms  cropt, 
His  heart  the  stem  from  which  they  dropt, 
IS 


146 


The  thorn  of  Fate  has  touched  its  core. 
His  blooming  babes  look  up  no  more 
To  catch  his  smile,  or  claim  his  kiss — - 
No  wonder  he  has  reached  th'  abyss, 
Of  agony  and  mute  distress. 
An  icy  bolt  his  soul  doth  press, 
Freezing  the  vital  fluids  there, 
Till  sculptured  man  alone  seems  near. 
What  unction  for  a  wound  so  deep? 
None — save  tlie  grave's  eternal  sleep! 

Now  glancing  rays  of  morning  light 
Reveal  the  horrors  of  the  night. 
Commingling  voices  weep  and  pray.., 
That  peril  e'er  may  pass  away, 
And  Time  alone  produce  decay. 


ON  THE   FALL.  OF  TWO  FAVORITE  TREES, 

DURING  A  TEMPEST. 

Hast  thou  ne'er  marked  from  birth  to  prime, 
Some  child  of  promise  as  it  passed 
Through  all  the  mazy  tracks  of  Time, 
Towering  on  Reason's  height  at  last? 
Chords  in  his  heart  for  touch  of  glory, 
Tints  in  his  cheek  for  Hope  to  heighten, 
Dew  in  his  eye  for  pity's  story, 
Or  young  affection's  glance  to  brighten? 

Hast  thou  not  wept  as  sullen  knell, 
Borne  plaintively  upon  the  breeze, 
Pierced  through  thy  stricken  ear  to  tell, 
The  tomb  had  yawned  for  one  of  these? 
Yet  from  thy  brow  would  care  depart, 
When  the  soul's  charter  was  recalled; 
Blight  may  not  touch  th'  ethereal  part, 
Though  matter  the  pure  essence  thralled. 

Thus  bom  of  Spring  those  trees  repose, 


148 


Late  verdant  screens  before  my  sight  . 
Their  leafy  honors  to  disclose, 
Thrice  Summer  lent  soft  dews  and  light 
I  knew  that  Time's  all  withering  hand, 
Forever  caters  Death's  repast  ; 
Like  all  frail  things  at  his  command 
Decay  had  soon  their  bloom  o'erpast, 
Yet  di earned  I  not  of  scathing  storm, 
Casting  its  demon  spell  around; 
Their  emerald  beauties  to,  deform 
With  rugged  Desolation's  wound- 

-And  shall  their  stems  be  leafless  ever? 
'JN'eath  earthly  clogs  their  roots  too  perish 
Ah.  no!  the  parent  clay  will  never 
Detain  them  while  there's  life  to  cherish. 
Sweet  influences  again  shall  rise, 
Celestial  urns  once  more  bestow 
The  purest  streams  that  e'er  baptize 
The  Spring's  enchanting  embryo. 
From  transient  Death  their  foliage  freed,. 
Shall  proudly  tower  to  the  skies; 
Like  spirit  cast  corruption's  seed, 
And  spring  to  Heaven  in  purer  guise 


L49 


< 


LOVE   AND  LAW. 

A  random  shaft  from  Cupid's  quiver. 

Once  struck  a  famous  barrister; 
The  lady  was  a  cold  deceiver. 

Therefore  his  suit  ne'er  harassed  her 
But  during  along  evening  session, 

When  he  to  Hymen's  bonds  alluded; 
She  only  laughed  at  his  confession 

And  said  the  thought  must  be  precluded. 
The  Muses  with  the  Graces  joined, 

A  lovely  jury  soon  composed; 
To  try  the  felon  who  purloined 

Hearts  that  no  flaw  had  e'er  disclosed. 
Deeper  in  crime  her  soul  to  steep, 

(As  urged  by  the  Solicitor;) 
This  modern  Macbeth  murdered  sleep, 

When  to  his  eyes  a  visiter. 
To  court  subpcsna'd  the  coquette 

Was  rashly  guilty  of  misprison; 
J  3* 


150 


Her  judges  at  defiance  set, 

And  boldly  plead  without  permission. 
Try  me  for  larcenies  in  Love? 

The  law  of  Nature  learn  to  read; 
Woman's  prerogative  'twill  prove, 

And  not  a  felon's  flagrant  deed. 
If  actionable  such  offence, 

Ye  Nine  consulting  justice  strict, 
Who  steal  with  Fiction's  keys  each  sense- 

I  can  of  pilfering  convict. 
Not  for  myself  but  sex  I  plead, 

Prescriptive  right  of  breaking  chains; 
Once  from  this  privilege  recede, 

And  not  a  wreck  of  power  remains. 
What  penalty  must  I  endure 

In  this  case  of  attachment? 
Yon  plaintiff-lawyer  may  procure, 

Of  writs  a  whole  detachment: 
This  form  he  feigns  to  love  so  well, 

May  even  now  incarcerate j 
I'll  find  new  suitors  in  my  cell. 

Fearless  your  verdict  I  await. 
I&ot  guilty!  from  the  Graces  burst, 

When  the  appeal  was  ended: 


151 


&ut  soon  the  sentence  was  reversed, 

Nor  mercy  recommended. 
At  once  the  Muses  seized  their  lyres. 

Untwisted  all  the  silver  strings; 
And  bound  the  culprit  with  their  wires, 

Who  still  in  bondage  smiles  and  sings. 


152 


THE   BOTANICAL.  ENTHUSIAST. 


That  every  nation  in  some  art  excels, 
A  travelling  sage  (the  reverend  Sherlock)  tells. 
In  frauds  political,  and  stuffs  of  gold, 
The  French  o'er  all  pre-eminence  may  hold. 
Germans  for  water  landscapes  ;-and  for  lace 
None  with  a  Flemish  hand  can  e'er  keep  pace: 
For  pious  fabrications,  what  man  vies 
With  him  that's  born  beneath  Italian'  skies? 
Or  maccaroni,  with  such  skill  prepare, 
Orices,  Anchorites  can  scarce  forbear! 
But  oh,  the  marvel!  that  Mynheer  alone 
Should  sit  supreme  on  Flora's  verdant  throne. 
So  jealous  too,  this  prince  of  the  parterre, 
Of  competition  in  his  favorite  sphere, 
This  passion  e'en  o4er  avarice  will  prevail, 
As  Fame  reports  in  this  authentic  tale: 
A  florist  once  of  that  phlegmatic  race, 
With  whom  plants,  pipes  and  pelf  find  equal  grace. 


153 


A  tulip  raised-Titania  might  have  chosen 
For  rest  or  revelry-to  feast  or  dose  in. 
So  rare  its  beauty,  and  so  rich  its  dye. 
It  seemed  a  gem  or  wingless  butterfly. 
It  chanced  that  one  who  listened  to  the  boast, 
That  the  whole  universe  by  art  or  cost 
Could  not  produce  so  exquisite  a  flower, 
Heplied — I  saw  one  in  Vanzimmer's  bower. 
By  this  intelligence  to  frenzy  wrought — 
Panting,  his  rival  botanist  he  sought, 
Revealed  his  embassy,  beheld  the  prize, 
And  with  a  treasure,  fit  for  royal  eyes, 
The  golden  chalice  of  the  sun  obtained; 
Then  in  a  transport  wild  and  unrestrained, 
To  earth  the  beautiful  compeer  he  hurled, 
Tho'  dew  like  suppliant  tears  the  cup  impearled^ 
And  as  he  crushed  the  petals  in  their  pride, 
Exulting  said — now  in  the  world  beside 
No  man  will  dare  avow  there  blooms  a  flower, 
Fair  as  the  Tulip  in  my  summer  bower. 


154 


SERENADE. 

Sieep'st  thou  while  harmony  floats  on  the  air, 
Dream'st  thou  thy  minstrel  love  hovers  so  near? 
Break  thro'  the  tissue  wild  fancy  is  weaving, 
Spring  to  the  lattice  where  Jasmines  are  cleaving. 
Leaflets  are  quiv'ring  in  yellow  moonlight, 
Dew  showers  make  every  blossom  more  bright, 
Wake  Lady,  wake,  ere  the  garish  sunbeam 
Less  softly  shall  sever  the  web  of  thy  dream. 
*  *  i  *. 

Hark!  Philomel  trills  his  melodious  woes 
To  the  zephyr-caressed — the  sun-tinted  rose, 
But  the  belle  of  the  bower  is  sleeping  in  scorn, 
Of  the  warbler  whose  bosom  is  pierced  by  her  thorn 
Thine  image  is  here,  tho'  thy  couch  is  still  pressed, 
In  heaven's  soft  azure  thine  eyes  are  confessed, 
Thy  brow  in  the  lily,  thy  locks  in  the  stream, 
Now  curled  by  the  breeze  in  the  golden  moon  beam. 


15# 


These  are  lovely  devices  of  external  nature, 
But  where  is  the  stamp  of  the  sensitive  creature? 
When  the  soul  rushes  up  from  the  bosom's  recess. 
In  the  blending  of  thoughts  all  its  joy  to  confess? 
Oh!  music  and  mem'ry  may  give  second  birth, 
To  feelings  so  pure  they  seem  not  of  this  earth, 
But  their  charm  is  soon  lost,  if  no  echo  is  caught, 
From  the  heart  whose  accord  was  by  sympathy  taught, 


TO   A  LOTTERY  TICKET. 


Thou  flattering  title  page  from  Fortunes's  book, 
Delusive  fragment  from  her  folio  shook, 
Through  folly's  optics  was  thy  type  explored, 
And  fancy's  numbers,  thus  for  thine  abjured. 
Ideal  wealth,  assuming  the  loose  rein, 
Banished  the  sterling  coinage  of  the  brain 
Before  the  golden  fabrics  it  unreared, 
Celebrity's  enchantments  disappeared. 
Various  delights  upon  my  senses  prest, 
And  my  lorn  being  a  new  charm  confest, 
Affection  blossomed  with  a  torrid  speed, 
And  lost  the  semblance  of  a  broken  reed 
Hearts  that  had  shrunk  from  penury's  deep  probe, 
Rents  that  were  found  in  friendship's  flimsy  robe, 
Alike  within  the  sordid  maze  concealed, 
Nought  of  their  hollowness  tome  revealed: 
Why  didst  thou  from  thy  fatal  covert  issue, 
To  break  imagination's  brilliant  tissue? 


157 


Was  not  the  world  a  blank  without  thy  aid, 

To  sever  at  a  stroke  her  glittering  thread? 

Wo !  to  the  worshipper  who  bends  to  thee, 

Frail  symbol  of  the  fool's  idolatry ! 

No  more  compunction  Juggernaut  would  feel, 

Than  thou  to  crush  thy  votary  'neath  the  Wheel 


158 


THE   THREE  TRAVELLERS. 

"Fire,  Water,  and  Fame  travelling  together,  consul- 
ted how  they  might  be  reunited  if  chance  should  sepa- 
rate them.  Fire  said,  where  you  see  smoke  there  you 
will  find  me:  Water  said,  where  you  see  marsh  there 
you  shall  find  me:  but  Fame  said,  take  heed  how  yon 
lose  me,  for  once  lost  there  is  no  finding  me  again." 

Howell. 

Fame,  Water  and  Fire,  once  travelled  together, 

And  after  discussing  the  modes  and  the  weather, 

A  point  of  importance  and  interest  debated: 

Which  was  if  by  chance  *hcy  became  separated, 

How  each  might  the  other  again  recognize, 

As  they  so  often  varied  their  aspect  and  guise. 

The  daughter  of  Vesta  with  fervor  exclaimed, 

By  my  blue  vapour-wreath  I  may  soon  be  reclaimed. 

A  vigil  I  hold  on  the  turbulent  tide, 

Where  my  ruby  star  sparkles  the  seaman  to  guide, 


159 

And  when  the  earth  trembles  and  man  is  dismayed3 

Ye  may  know  that  in  regions  volcanic  I've  played. 

Or  failing  to  track  me  by  tokens  like  these, 

Seek  the  caloric  nymph  amid  heart-broken  trees. 

Gray  relics  on  Winter's  red  shrine  testify 

That  my  luminous  spirit  has  lately  past  by. 

Hydrogena  declared  she  would  find  it  a  toil, 

For  that  Fire  compelled  her  fore'er  to  recoil, 

But  that  Nature  delighted  so  much  in  her  graces, 

Her  loveliest  lineaments  bore  her  light  traces. 

By  Neptune's  regalia  her  power  denoting, 

By  the  dew-pearls  around  infant  flowers  e'er  floating^ 

By  the  crescent  of  spray  on  the  cataract's  brow, 

A  tribute  the  rock-stricken  Naiads  bestow, 

By  the  brooklet,  the  rill,  and  the  torrent's  bold  flight, 

The  prints  ye  will  find  of  the  lost  water-sprite. 

And  if  a  fresh  clue  to  her  presence  ye  seek, 

It  is  brightly  ensphered  upon  Beauty's  soft  cheek. 

But  why  is  Fame  mute  whom  they  call  trumpet  tongued. 

Or  is  she  by  that  strong  appellation  wronged? 

Should  accident  part  us,  then  faltered  Renown, 

By  marks  most  infallible  ye  may  be  known. 

Alas!  such  advantage  can  ne'er  be  ray  boast, 

For  who  can  retrieve  Reputation  once  lost? 


ERRATA. 


i'agu  7,  line  20,  for  "preparatory,"  read  "prefatory." 

^,12,  11,  for  "the  steel  is  releas'd,"  read  "thy  steelj 

.,30,  „     9,  for  "to  delay,"  read  "of  delay." 

„  35,  „  11,  for  "Friend,"  read  "Fiend." 

„  72,  „  8,  for  "was,"  read  "were." 

„  84,  „  8,  for  "addled,"  read  "cradled." 

.,  88,  ,,  last,  for  "the  blight,"  read  "thy  blight." 

89,  ,,  16,  for  "in  odorous,"  read  "inodorous." 

„  96,  „  1,  for  "For,"  read  "What." 

„  101,  „  5,  for  "pearl,"  read  "peal." 

„  105,  ,,  3,  for  "steps,"  read  "stress." 

147,  ,,  last,  for  "repose,"  read  "uprose." 

156,  ,,  8,  for  "unreared,"  read  "upreared." 

,  159,  20,  for  "appellation,"  read  "appellative." 


/ 


Date  Due 


.  JUN  i  £ 

im  

Uurary  Bureau   Cat.  DO.     1 1 37 


